2014 Prep Football - TDN

FOOTBALL PREVIEW ’14: ANALYSIS, PREDICTIONS, RANKINGS & MORE

THE DAILY NEWS

INTO THE

mystery abounds as fresh faces, new leagues alter area landscape AN EDITION OF THE DAILY NEWS

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HUDDLE UP

BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

TDNPREPS.COM

The Great Unknown

TEAM PREVIEWS

Many questions linger at the start of an unsettled prep football season — none bigger than Woodland and star back Eli Whitmire’s transition to 2A PAGE 6

Local Legends The Daily News takes a look back at the area’s top coaches and players from the state playoff era PAGE 30

League previews

All-area teams

Daily News sports staff breaks down the area leagues

PAGE 52

PAGE 10

Power 8

PAGE 54

Pound-for-pound rankings PAGE 17 ON THE COVER Woodland senior Eli Whitmire, center; Kelso senior Mason Meeker, left; and Toledo junior Taylor Hicks.

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Team schedules State outlook PAGES 49 & 51

PREPS+ PREP FOOTBALL 2014 Publisher: Rick Parrish Sports Editor: Matt Schubert, 360-577-2528, mschubert@tdn.com Design Editor: Evan Caldwell, 360-501-2704, ecaldwell@tdn.com Photographers: Bill Wagner, Roger Werth, John Markon Reporters: Rick McCorkle, Kevin Dowd, Ryan Horlen, R.D. Hight, John Pisapia

Toledo’s Ted Hippi, a legend in his time

Kelso Mark Morris R.A. Long Woodland Castle Rock Toledo Kalama Ilwaco Rainier Clatskanie Winlock Wahkiakum Toutle Lake Naselle

18 20 22 24 26 28 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50

CONTACT US Photo reprints: Order online at TDN.com or email: photo@tdn.com Sports desk: 360-577-2527 or email: sports@tdn.com Online: TDNpreps.com Twitter: @TDN_sports Mail: The Daily News; 770 11th Ave.; PO Box 189; Longview, WA © Copyright, 2014 The Daily News and Lee Enterprises

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COVER STORY

Eli Whitmire and the Beavers look to step it up after moving to GSHL 2A (See where the rest of the schools landed after reclassification on Page 9)

By Matt Schubert

The Daily News

ry to nail down one certainty going into this year’s prep football season.

Go ahead, sift through the chaos, the misinformation and the intrigue that dominated Southwest Washington football circles this summer, and come up with one can’t-miss conclusion.

In the end, there’s too many questions to count — none bigger than the one lingering in Woodland’s backfield.

That’s where you’ll find Eli Whitmire, the senior running back who somehow enters the fall as both proven commodity and speculative uncertainty.

In this, his fourth year on the Beavers varsity, everyone is waiting to see what he’ll do now that Woodland is back up in Class 2A. Can the area’s most explosive athlete elevate his game even more?

Will he and his team be able to thrive in the deeper waters of the Greater St. Helens 2A League after two seasons as the big bullies on the Southwest 1A Trico block?

“You can have a great running back in the back field. If you have no one blocking up front, that’s the key,” Woodland coach Mark Greenleaf said. “I think he displayed already what he has, to tell you the truth. ... He is what he is. I think he’s proven it, even when he was a freshman, that he was an elite athlete.

“Exactly what he has been able to do the last couple of years compared to now, is to be known.”    It didn’t take long for Whitmire to prove what Greenleaf already suspected that freshman season — one game to be exact.

It was Whitmire’s varsity debut, played alongside older brother Cy in 2011, when the then-5-foot-7, 155-pound freshman torched the rival Kalama Chinooks for 211 yards and two touchdowns.

“Some kids just have that X factor,” Greenleaf said.

Greenleaf saw it as early as grade school with Eli, when the kid who also served as the Beavers’ ball boy was tearing up turf with Cy on the CCYF team coached by their father and Woodland football legend, Jack Sr. It showed up in that first game on varsity, and was evident the rest of Eli’s freshman year as he battled the likes of Mark Morris’ Ryan Littlefield and R.A. Long’s

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BY MATT SCHUBERT / THE DAILY NEWS

Who wlll rise from the GSHL 2A pack?

Is it possible for an entire league to be down? One wonders with the GSHL 2A, which has no clear-cut favorite after the exodus of senior studs like RAL’s Jacob Yordy, Mark Morris’ Keigan Baker, Hockinson’s Jess Krahn and Washougal’s Bobby Jacobs. Even Woodland, which brings back the league’s most established star in Eli Whitmire, had to say goodbye to all-state QB Hunter Huddleston and several other key contributors. Add in new coaching staffs at Hockinson, Hudson’s Bay and Washougal, and there’s little clarity in the area’s most up-for-grabs league chase.

Will Naselle turn into an eight-man powerhouse?

While many of the Comets’ athletic programs struggled to punch above their weight in Class 2B the past few years, the football team thrived with four state playoff trips since 2007. Now the program drops into the B-8 ranks with 11-man depth. Will that translate into sustained success as a 1B independent? Or will the challenge of learning the ins and outs of the eight-man game make for some early growing pains?

We won’t find out until late September, when the Comets play their first of four eight-man games on the schedule.

What’s the fallout from the latest reclassification shuffle?

Naselle wasn’t the only program on the move this offseason. From Woodland to Toledo, Ilwaco to the upper reaches of Tacoma, the offseason game of musical chairs that is reclassification dramatically reorganized area leagues. The once-deep Trico is down to six teams, the GSHL 3A four, and Oregon’s Lewis and Clark 3A was whittled away to just three. Meanwhile, the bloated Central 2B (10) and Pacific 2B leagues (9) are even deeper and more demanding — if that’s even possible. Will the smaller leagues offer enough competition to prepare teams for the rigors of the postseason?

Will larger ones wear out its members before the playoff fight even begins?

Everything is up in the air.

Whose offseason injury will have the biggest impact?

This summer and spring took its toll on several area teams who lost up-andcoming players to season-threatening injuries.

In Kelso, Davis Radcliffe’s expected ascendency to Scottie two-way star was derailed by a severe knee injury suffered on the last play of the baseball season. In Castle Rock, the return of Austin Darvell was expected to provide a boost to the backfield.

Instead, he’ll be on the sidelines thanks to a shoulder injury sustained at team camp. And Mark Morris, the bastion of stability and next-man-up consistency, was also forced to scramble after all-league lineman Cole Enriquez injured his knee during the offseason.

Who will be this year’s emerging star?

With so many new faces dotting the landscape, a relative unknown is certain to rise to stardom.

Could it be Toledo’s Grant McEwen, the take-no-prisoners basketball guard who’s back on the football field for his senior year?

Could it be Castle Rock’s Talib Meeks, a raw talent at defensive end who will now take on an additional load in the Rockets’ new pistol attack? What about Mark Morris running back Jordan Frost, a junior who’s already made an impact at the varsity level as a baseball player? Or maybe R.A. Long’s Owen Bertram, the coach’s son with a rocket arm finally given the keys to the family Ferrari? The list of names is endless, but there’s only so much time to make a mark.

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COVER STORY

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Ev JOHN MARKON / THE DAILY NEWS

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Woodland head coach Mark Greenleaf and the Beavers are familiar with the GSHL 2A league having been there as recently as two years ago.

Jacob Yordy as Woodland’s top cover corner.

“I was really intimidated, just because my team expected a lot out of me,” said Eli, an all-GSHL 2A selection that season.

“But once you got into the game it was a lot easier after that. ... I learned that football is more of a mental thing. It doesn’t really matter how big you are as long as you go out there and play hard all the time.”

It was the perfect lesson for Eli, who at 5-foot9, 170 pounds, never quite grew to the size of his eldest brother, Jack Jr., a 6-1, 215-pound all-state linebacker and fullback for Woodland in the mid2000s .

No, Eli was built more like Cy (5-10, 170), if a tad less powerful.

What he did get, however, was unmatched speed and agility as a sprinter who can cover 40 yards in 4.6 seconds and state champion long jumper who leapt 22 feet, 4 inches last spring.

Just the sort of athleticism perfectly suited for a feature role in Woodland’s fast-paced spread attack.

“Eli is just a specimen, it’s crazy,” Woodland teammate Trevor Huddleston said. “You get the ball in Eli’s hands, we’ll have success. ... He’s just a natural at football, it’s a Whitmire tradition.”

Added Greenleaf, “He is the best athlete by far (of the Whitmires). I think he’s probably the best athlete I’ve had here overall in the last 12 years.”    One of the biggest problems Greenleaf had last

fall was finding ways to keep his team out of the end zone.

Whitmire posed perhaps the biggest challenge: When exactly do you stop feeding the most dangerous player on the field? After three touchdowns? Four?

Of course, it didn’t help that Eli would get there in seven or eight touches. (He averaged a touchdown every 3.7 in 2013.)

“We were trying to find ways to slow the machine down,” said Greenleaf, whose team scored 490 points as part of a 9-2 campaign in 1A. “We could have kept giving it to Eli and have just a run game and do just as well and give him a million yards, but we (had) all these other kids.”

While the cupboard is far from bare as the Beavers reacquaint themselves with the GSHL 2A, it isn’t quite as loaded as last year’s Trico campaign.

Gone are all-state quarterback Hunter Huddleston, speedy receivers Vince Nigro and Logan Piper, tight end Kyle Hendrix and three-fifths of the starting offensive line.

What’s left is a mish-mash of returning talent — Whitmire, all-league receiver Trevor Huddleston and beefy tackles Chase Barber and Isaac Anderson — and newcomers looking to make their mark on varsity.

The blowouts of a year ago aren’t coming back, and the Beavers know it.

“There were weeks last year where we knew we were going to win,” said Troy Flanagan, a returning all-league linebacker who should also slot in at wide receiver.

“I don’t mean to sound cocky when I say that,

Sk

Un

but that was the reality of it. We knew we were going to win. This year, every single game is going to be a battle. We’re going to be ready to battle.”    Woodland’s situation is hardly ideal for a step up the classification ladder — presuming it ever could be advantageous to be the smallest school in 2A. With two unproven quarterbacks vying for the starting spot — freshman Wyatt Harsh and senior Thomas Brower were neck and neck at camp — and several other new faces thrust into key roles, the Beavers are bursting with unknowns.

Except for Whitmire. Everyone knows what he’s bringing to the table.

He’ll get all the carries he wants, and thensome, against deeper, more athletic GSHL 2A defenses.

No more watching from the sidelines in the third quarter. Now’s the chance to put up those insane numbers his limited playing time would not allow a year ago.

“I think our line can handle it and I sure can handle it,” Whitmire said.

Opposing defenses surely know what’s coming, too, and will inevitably throw everything they can at him to try and contain Woodland’s primary weapon.

Can Whitmire still be the same home-run threat in the face of all that extra attention?

“It’s not up to him, it’s up to the rest of the team,” Greenleaf said. “Not one man takes over just by pure ability.”

Of that, almost everyone is certain. 

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HOW THE DUST SETTLED

JOHN MARKON / THE DAILY NEWS

WHERE SCHOOLS LANDED AFTER THE LATEST ROUND OF RECLASSIFICATION GSHL 4A Battle Ground

GSHL 3A Columbia River

GSHL 2A Hockinson

TRICO 1A Castle Rock

Camas

Fort Vancouver

Hudson’s Bay

Woodland

Evergreen

Hudson’s Bay

Mark Morris

Kalama

Heritage

Mountain View

R.A. Long

La Center

Mountain View

Kelso

Ridgefield

Seton Catholic

Skyview

Prairie

Washougal

Stevenson

Woodland Aberdeen

Toledo

Union

White Salmon Ilwaco

EVERGREEN 2A Black Hills

GRAYS HARBOR 2A/1A Aberdeen

CENTRAL 2B Toledo

Centralia

Eatonville

Morton/White Pass

PACIFIC 2B Chief Leschi Ilwaco

Tumwater

Elma

Mossyrock

Life Christian

W.F. West

Forks

Napavine

Willapa Valley

Capital

Hoquiam

Onalaska

North Beach

River Ridge

Montesano

Pe Ell/Willapa Valley

Ocosta

Rainier

Toutle Lake

Naselle

Rochester

Wahkiakum

Rainier

Tenino

Winlock

Raymond

Adna

South Bend Tacoma Baptist

INDEPENDENT 1B To District III

16765501.indd 9

Naselle

From District III

8/28/2014 12:50:57 PM

LEAGUE PREVIEWS

LEAGUE ORDER BASED ON COACHES POLLS CONDUCTED BY DAILY NEWS SPORTS STAFF

GREATER ST. HELENS 3A

2013 league champion: Mountain View Postseason berths: 2

PLAYERS TO WATCH

GAMES TO WATCH

Nathan Hawthorne, Columbia River, Sr., WR/KR: The GSHL 3A boys basketball player of the year (pictured at right) takes few breaks in the fall. A potent weapon out of the slot, defensive nuisance in the secondary and TD threat on kick returns, the 5-8 spark plug is all things for the talent-rich Chieftains.

Jordan Suell, Fort Vancouver, Jr., QB: The 6-5, 185-pound junior has the prototypical size one looks for in a pocket passer, as well as the cannon arm — his 61yard throw won the Camp Rilea QB competition this summer.

Prairie at Kelso SEPT.

Columbia River Chieftians

Fort Vancouver Trappers

1 Fort Vancouver Trappers

Kelso COLUMBIA Hilanders RIVER

(8-3 in 2013)

2 Prairie KELSOFalcons

Kelso Hilanders

(3-7)

3 Columbia River Chieftians

PRAIRIE Fort Vancouver (4-5)

Trappers

4 FORT VANCOUVER

Kelso Hilanders

26

TROY WAYRYNEN / THE COLUMBIAN

Denzel Hamiel, Prairie, Sr., RB/OLB: A unique blend of size and speed, the 6-3, 215-pound Hamiel is dangerous out of the backfield and out wide.

Columbia River The perfect complement Chieftians to returning all-league linebacker/running back Justin Pena, who is equally as explosive with a Columbia River Fort Vancouver 4.5-second 40.

Chieftians Trappers

SEPT.

19

Prairie Falcons

Fort Vancouver at Prairie

OCT.

31

The Chieftains begin the fall in their familiar perch as GSHL 3A favorites. With nearly 30 seniors on the roster, many of whom started for last year’s second-place team, the real question is Prairie Falconsthey can make some noise at the state level. whether

Columbia River at Kelso — In a league decimated by reclassification, the race looks to be down to the past and present powerhouses of the bunch, the defending runners-up versus last year’s last men in. The winner likely takes the title on Halloween night.

The offensive line must be retooled and backfield replenished for a Hilanders program eyeing a third straight trip to the postseason. Best to get those in line before a critical home date with Prairie in Week 3.

The Falcons’ first 2-0 start in 16 years finished with disappointing results last fall: out of the playoffs for the second straight season. With several holes to fill — only three starters return on Kelso offHilanders ense and defense —Prairie this is a program that could use another Falcons year of growth.

The return of head coach Cal Szueber (105-85 in a 19-year career) promises to inject much-needed energy into the sagging Trappers program. Will that be enough to end a string of 15 straight losing seasons?

(1-8)

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LEAGUE PREVIEWS

LEAGUE ORDER BASED ON COACHES POLLS CONDUCTED BY DAILY NEWS SPORTS STAFF

GREATER ST. HELENS 2A

2013 league champion: Mark Morris Postseason berths: 3

GAMES TO WATCH SEPT.

Hockinson Hawks

PLAYERS TO WATCH Austen Johnson, Hockinson, Sr., RB/S: Injuries were about the only thing that slowed the 5-9, Hockinson 165-pound all-league pick Hawks a year ago. Healthy and motivated, he should be the feature back in the Hawks’ run-heavy offense.

R.A. Long Lumberjacks

Morris narchs

Washougal Panthers

Mark Morris Monarchs

Washougal

Noah Couch,Panthers Ridgefield, Sr., LB/FB: The Spuds’ 4-3 defense demands its linebackers be playmakers.

Hudson’s Couch fitsBay the build as a Eagles three-year starter and twotime all-GSHL 2A pick.

Anthony Sanchez, HudHockinson son’s Bay, Sr., Mark Morris WR/DB: Hawks Monarchs The Eagles’ returning allleague cornerback can be left on an island in Rick Skinner’s new defensive R.A. Long Lumberjacks scheme.

Win that oneon-one matchup and take away half the field.

Mark Morris Monarchs

1 MARKHockinson Hawks MORRIS (10-2 in 2013)

1 Mark Morris Monarchs

R.A. Long HOCKINSON Lumberjacks

(5-4)

3 Hudson’s Bay Eagles

Woodland R.A. LONG Beavers

(8-2)

Woodland Beavers

3

Ridgefield Spudders

WOODLAND

Washougal Panthers

Hudson’s Bay Eagles

Woodland Beavers

No team sustained greater losses to graduation than the Monarchs, with nine starters gone from each side of the ball.

R.A. Long Washougal Coach Shawn Perkins’ penchant for reloading will be put to the Mark Morris Lumberjacks Panthers test,Monarchs as will MM’s 11-game league win streak.

Ridgefield Spudders

R.A. Long Lumberjacks

5

Washougal

Panthers RIDGEFIELD

(0-9)

Washougal Panthers

6

Hudson’s

Bay Eagles WASHOUGAL

(5-4)

HUDSON’S BAY (1-8)

R.A. Long at Mark Morris — The Civil War comes early this fall, but that doesn’t mean the stakes will be any smaller.

Look for just as much passion in both teams’ league opener.

SEPT.

26 Mark Morris at Hockinson

Hudson’s Bay Eagles

Woodland Beavers

OCT.

After a year away, coach Rick Steele (pictured above) is back at the program he built from the ground up — and guided to 3 league Hudson’s Ridgefield Washougal titles.

Several key seniors are gone — mostWoodland notably 4-year starting Bay Eagles Beavers Spudders Panthers QB Jess Krahn — but plenty of talent remains for a run at No. 4.

The senior-laden Jacks of a year ago came within a goal-line interception of that elusive league crown. A brutal opening Ridgefield three weeks— at Columbia River, home to Kelso, vs. Mark Spudders Morris — promises a trial by fire for a green group.

The most electric athlete in the league (Eli Whitmire) lines up in the Beavers’ backfield. Is that enough to give Woodland a puncher’s chance in the deeper 2A?

(9-2)

7

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R.A. Long Lumberjacks

STEVEN LANE / THE COLUMBIAN

19

The Spuds’ free fall a year ago began with a leaky defense that surrendered 40.1 points per game. Plug those holes, and they Hudson’s Ridgefield will contend in theWoodland up-for-grabs GSHL 2A. Bay Eagles Beavers Spudders Much like the rest of the league, the Panthers are shrouded in mystery with few familiar faces. The big unknown: Will coach DaveWoodland Hajeck’s return forRidgefield a third stint with the Panthers include a Beavers Spudders restoration of the aerial attack he once championed?

A change in leadership and drop to the 2A ranks should provide a much-needed jolt to a program coming off back-to-back winless GSHL 3A campaigns. The Eagles’ dual head coach experiment — Andy Meyer and Rick Skinner will share the sideline — is already turning heads.

10 Mark Morris at Woodland — The Beavers are swaggering up to Class 2A with Eli Whitmire and an explosive spread offense that powered a run to the state playoffs. The Monarchs are the holders of the crown, and they’re unlikely to relinquish it peacefully.

OCT.

17 Woodland at R.A. Long

8/28/2014 12:51:05 PM

Ridgefield Spudders

mbia e Salmon) ins

LEAGUE PREVIEWS

LEAGUE ORDER BASED ON COACHES POLLS CONDUCTED BY DAILY NEWS SPORTS STAFF

SOUTHWEST TRICO 1A

2013 champion: La Center Postseason berths: 3

PLAYERS TO WATCH Max Hiller, La Center, Sr, RB/DE: Last year’s Trico defensive MVP is in line for a major role on the offensive end as well, thanks to the departure of senior Connor Fulton. Hiller’s doubledigit yards-per-carry average indicates he can handle the extra load.

Rockets

JOHN MARKON / THE DAILY NEWS

Will Noce-Sheldon, Seton Catholic, Sr., QB: Entering his third year as leader of the Cougars’ pistol shotgun option, the 5-10 senior is at the center of the Cougars’ playoff Columbia Castle Rock hopes. (aka White Salmon)

Kalama Chinooks

Bruins

La Center Wildcats

1 Castle Rock Rockets

Columbia (aka White Salmon) Bruins

Kalama LA CENTER Chinooks

(11-1 in 2013)

2 KALAMA Columbia (aka White Salmon) Bruins

Castle Rock Rockets

Kalama Chinooks

La Center Wildcats

COURTESY OF GOLDENDALE SENTINEL

 Tanner Rabinowitz, White Salmon, Sr., QB/DB: Another three-year starter behind center, the dual-threat Bruin threw for more than 1,000 yards and ran for 850 during a breakout junior campaign.

Kalama Chinooks

La Center Wildcats

(7-3)

Stevenson Bulldogs

3 Castle Rock Rockets

STEVENSON Columbia (aka White Salmon) Bruins

(3-6)

Stevenson Bulldogs

Seton Cougars

King’s Way Knights

The promising Class of 2016 started coming of age during a second-half run to the playoffs last fall. Throw in a crop of freshmen that includes a couple of instant contributors, and theCougars future is bright for the Chinooks.

Seton King’s Way Knights

Three years of steady growth under coach David Waymire gives way to a postseason window for the Bulldogs, who lost just five seniors from last year’s surprisingly feisty group.

Kalama Chinooks

La Center Wildcats

Stevenson Bulldogs

Seton Cougars

King’s Way Knights

The Bruins have steadily improved since a winless 2011, culminating with a playoff bid last fall. The offensive line needs an overhaul — four of five starters are gone — but a wealth of WHITE Columbia skill-position players this Stevenson Seton Kalama makes La Centerteam dangerous.

Castle Rock SALMON (5-5) (aka White Salmon) Bulldogs Cougars Chinooks Wildcats Rockets

3

Bruins

5 Stevenson Bulldogs

Seton CASTLE Cougars ROCK (4-5)

6 SETON CATHOLIC (1-8)

GAMES TO WATCH

The Wildcats (pictured above) bring back just five starters between the offense and defense, but few question head coach John Lamability to fill in the blanks. Especially not with the way his JV Stevenson Seton Labert’s Center King’s Way Bulldogs Wildcats Knights brutalized teams last season. Cougars

The Rockets’ depth was exposed during an injury-plagued 2013.

Expect big backs Tanner Cattin and Talib Meeks to be the ones doling out the punishment this season.

King’s Way Knights

Head coach Dan Chase called this year’s Cougars “the best team we’ve ever had.” Considering the program’s growing pains since its inception in 2011, it’s hard to know what that will mean on the field.

OCT.

24 La Center at Kalama — The Chinooks have come a long way from their Week 3 loss to the Wildcats and a postseason berth to the district crossover round. Enough to make a league championship push? They’ll find out come late October.

King’s Way Knights

OCT.

24

Stevenson at Castle Rock OCT.

31 Kalama at Castle Rock

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LEAGUE PREVIEWS

LEAGUE ORDER BASED ON COACHES POLLS CONDUCTED BY DAILY NEWS SPORTS STAFF

LEWIS AND CLARK 3A Lewis and Clark 3A

Clatskanie Tigers

Rainier Columbians

1

OCT.

24

CLATSKANIE (7-3 in 2013)

Rainier at Clatskanie — The Columbians are hoping to maintain their nearly decadelong stranglehold on the Lewis and Clark despite heavy losses.

The Tigers are full of hungry upperclassmen looking for some Hootenanny revenge.

Sound familiar?

Rainier Columbians

Rainier Columbians

2 RAINIER (7-4) Lewis and Clark 3A Clatskanie Tigers

Warrenton, Ore. Warriors

3 OCT.

JOHN MARKON / THE DAILY NEWS

31 Warrenton at Clatskanie

WARRENTON (4-6)

2013 champion: Rainier Postseason berths: 2 Knappa Loggers 2A NW

Warrenton, Ore. Warriors

The Columbians have never been more vulnerable. Could this be the year the Tigers — loaded with seniors and experience — exorcise those HighClark 3A wayLewis 30and Hootenanny demons?

Portland Christian Royals

Clatskanie Tigers

Warrenton, Ore. Warriors

Don’t let the losses to graduation fool you: the path to the Lewis and Clark title runs through Rainier once again.

After seven years of league dominance, the Columbians have proven that much.

Knappa Loggers 2A NW

Vernonia, Ore. Loggers 2A NW

The Warriors have the skill players to make Ian O’Brien’s spread offense hum in the third season of their transition from the 37-year John Mattila era. With only five seniors, however, experience is an issue.

Portland Christian Royals

Portland Adventist Cougars

Vernonia, Ore. Loggers 2A NW

Scapoose Indians 4A Cowapa

Astoria Fishermen 4A Cowapa

PLAYER TO WATCH Portland Adventist Cougars

Knappa Loggers 2A NW

Portland Christian Royals

Scapoose Indians 4A Cowapa

Corbett

Corbett

Vernonia, Ore. Loggers 2A NW

Portland Adventist Cougars

Astoria Fishermen 4A Cowapa

Scapoose Indians 4A Cowapa

Corbett

Astoria Fishermen 4A Cowapa

Bryton Kyme, Warrenton, Sr., OL/DE: A first-team all-league end a year ago, the 6-1, 230-pound Kyme anchors the Warriors’ offensive and defensive fronts. Protector of quarterback Brock Johnson’s blind side, he’ll be instrumental in the success of the Warriors’ pass-heavy offense.

Innovative engineering ensures Rightline attachments work better and last longer.

Ever Rightline design Every incorporates high performance features and is built to be the most rugged attachment available.

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LEAGUE PREVIEWS

LEAGUE ORDER BASED ON COACHES POLLS CONDUCTED BY DAILY NEWS SPORTS STAFF

PACIFIC 2B

2013 champion: Raymond Postseason berths: TBD (likely 5)

Caleb Bridge, North Beach, Sr., OL/DL: Already committed to Air Force Academy, the 6-4, 250pound piledriver is a physical freak capable of bench pressing 325 pounds one minute and dunking a basketball the NW Christian North Beach Navigators Hyaks next.

Willipa Valley Vikings

North Beach Hyaks

South Bend Indians

Ocosta Wildcats

NW Christian Navigators

Ocosta Wildcats

James Hamilton, Raymond, Rainier MounSouth Bend taineers Jr., OL/LB:Indians The Gulls’ ground game gashed defenses for more than 290 yards a game last Raymont fall, with all-stater Ocosta Seagulls Wildcats Hamilton a big reason why. A year older and wiser, expect more push in 2014.

Logan Devries, Life Christian, Sr., OL/DE: Another road-grader NW Christian Willipasturdy Valley Navigators Vikings in a league loaded with them, the 6-2, 255-pound Devries was an all-Nisqually League tackle as a junior with three sacks on defense.

Raymont Seagulls

Ilwaco Fishermen

McKoy Bichler, Rainier, Jr., QB: The Mountainiers’ triple-option revolves around Ocosta North Beach Bichler, a 5-10, 165Wildcats Hyaks pound package of TNT coming off a camIlwaco Raymont sophomore Seagulls paign thatFishermen saw him rush for more than 1,000 yards.

Raymont Seagulls

Ocosta Wildcats

1 Willipa Valley Vikings

NW Christian RAYMOND Navigators

(9-2 in 2013)

2 Ilwaco Fishermen

NORTH BEACH Life Christian (7-3)

3 LIFE Rainier Mountaineers CHRISTIAN (3-6)

4 North Beach Hyaks

Rainier Mountaineers

Ocosta RAINIER (3-7) Wildcats

5

South Bend Indians

OCOSTA (3-7)

6 Life Christian

Chief Leske

SOUTH BEND

Ilwaco Fishermen

Life Christian

Chief Leske

Tacoma Baptist

The departure of head coach Rob Clements is no small loss. But don’t expect the Gulls to suddenly fall from their perch among Ilwaco Raymont Ocosta Life Christian theBeach Pacific 2B elite.

North Fishermen Seagulls Wildcats Hyaks

A beefy offensive line — the Hyak hogs tip the scales at 260 pounds on average — will pave the way to a return trip to the postseason. Experienced starters dot the offense (7) and defense (8).

Tacoma Chief Leske Ex-Stadium head coach Jess Nelson will try to revive a onceproud Eagles program that fell on hard times in recent years.

Strong offensive and defensive fronts could fuel a quick turnNW Christian North Beach around.

South Bend Willipa Valley Navigators Hyaks Indians

Vikings

The young Mountainiers took their lumps in the 1A Evergreen a year ago and now bring back eight starters on offense and defense. With just two seniors expected to suit up, youth is still Ilwaco Raymont Chief Leske Life Christian Fishermen Seagulls a concern.

Year Two of the Brad Kesterson regime comes with increased Raymont expectations.

TheNWroster balloons to 30 as the Wildcats attempt Ocosta Christian North Beach Seagulls Willipa Valley Wildcats Hyaks toVikings turn the tide of Navigators three straight one-win seasons in league.

The roster remains young, if not a tad more athletic than last year’s edition. It might be another year, however, before the Tacoma Baptist are all the way back.

Indians

Raymont Seagulls

Life Christian

Ilwaco TACOMA Fishermen BAPTIST (2-7)

8

Chief Leske

ILWACO (0-9)

9 CHIEF LESCHI

Five years of Friday night apprenticeship in the Lone Star State has new coach Tim Rasmussen ready to begin his rebuild of the traditional 2B powers.

Tacoma Chief Leske Life Christian

Chief Leske

GAMES TO WATCH Tacoma Baptist SEPT.

5

Tacoma Baptist at Ocosta

Baptist

(0-8)

7

BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ocosta Wildcats

Tacoma Baptist

Raymont Seagulls

SEPT.

26

Ilwaco Fishermen

Raymond at North Beach — Raymond’s 28-6 victory over the Hyaks in Week 5 was Ilwaco the telling result Life Christian Fishermen in last season’s Pacific 2B hunt.

The rematch out on the coast is likely to have the same stakes, but don’t tell the throng of new contenders.

Life Christian

Chief Leske

Baptist

Finally, the Fishermen (pictured above) shake free of their small-fry status with a drop to 2B. Will the numbers advantage Tacoma provide Baptist the boost this hard-luck program needs?

The Warriors take a 25-game losing streak into the new confines of the Pacific 2B. A change of scenery certainly can’t hurt — Leschi scored touchdowns in just three of nine games last fall.

OCT.

17 Raymond at Ilwaco

(0-9)

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ne

LEAGUE PREVIEWS

LEAGUE ORDER BASED ON COACHES POLLS CONDUCTED BY DAILY NEWS SPORTS STAFF

CENTRAL 2B

2013 champion: Morton/ White Pass Postseason berths: TBD (likely 5)

Brady Woodrum, Napavine, Sr., WR/DB: The only thing harder than bringing down Woodrum (pictured at right) is figuring out where he is on the field. A wide receiver one moment and running back the next, a quarterback in the Wildcat or tight end in Onalaska Adna Loggers bunch formation,Pirates the 6-2, 205-pounder does everything but snap the ball for the Tigers.

Toledo Indians

Napavine Tigers

Mossyrock Vikings

Onalaska Loggers

Adna Pirates

Pe Ell Trojans

David Young, Adna, Jr., QB/DB: A sure-fire MVP candidate, Young is the tip of the Pirates’ sword — a shifty, decisive option Toledo quarterback at the Indianshelm of the offense, and a sideline-to-sideline menace on defense who racked up a school-record Pe Ell Toutle Lake 269 Trojans tackles last fall.

Ducks Keifer Kastl, Onalaska, Sr., FB/LB: Rarely one to go down on first contact, the Loggers’ bulldogPeofEll a Napavine Trojans Tigers fullback totaled 1,312 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Expect more of the same this fall with Kastl running behind the same five fellas up front.

Zach Hanson, MWP, Sr., QB/DB: The heir apparent to three-year starter Rylon Adna Mossyrock Pirates Vikings Kolb did a little bit of everything for the Timberwolves last fall — splitting out wide, lining up under the center and flying around Mossyrock Napavine Vikings Tigers the defensive backfield as an all-league presence.

Aidan Arrington, Pe Ell/ Valley, Jr., QB/DB: The Toledo Onalaska Indians best bet to winLoggers a heated QB battle at Titans camp — Valley’s Jason Fluke started in 2013 as well — Arrington Wahkiakum Toutle Lake Mules Ducks is coming off an all-league honorable mention showing as a sophomore. No small feat in the Central 2B.

Mossyrock Vikings

Napavine Tigers

1 Toledo NAPAVINE Indians

(10-2 in 2013)

2 Onalaska Loggers

TOLEDO (3-6) Adna Pirates

3 Wahkiakum Mules

Morton/White Pass Timberwolves ADNA (9-4)

Pe Ell Trojans

Wahkiakum Mules

Toutle Lake Ducks

Morton/White Pass Timberwolves

Winlock Cardinals

There’s a new sheriff in the Central 2B. The Tigers are near consensus picks to win the league title — just two coaches Onalaska Adna dissented — with aPirates strong mix of depth, and power.

Mossyrock athleticismNapavine Loggers Vikings Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tigers

Pe Ell Trojans

The Indians are the big, bad new kid on the block after dropping down from the 1A Trico. Experience slots in all over the field, including the skill positions. An already stacked league gets one Pe Ell Wahkiakum more Toutle Lake Mossyrock potential powerhouse.

Napavine Trojans Mules Ducks Vikings

Tigers

It’s been a full decade since the Pirates last missed state, and the cupboard remains full. Coach K.C. Johnson estimates Winlock 25 varsity-ready contributors on the roster — a leg up in the Cardinals Central 2B meat grinder.

The talent drain from last year’s 2B state runner-up squad was significant. The league’s offensive and defensive MVPs are gone, and just three starters return on each side of the ball. But MORTON/WHITE Morton/White Pass Winlock Winlock/Toledo Wahkiakum with reinforcements on the way, few expect the Timberwolves Timberwolves Cardinals Warhawks or United Mules PASS (12-1) to plummet out of playoff contention.

4

Toutle Lake Ducks

Depth is an issue — just 23 turned out for camp this summer.

Still, quarterback Gunnar Blix is an explosive centerpiece to WAHKIAKUM build be no easyToutle Lake Onalaska Adna around. Avoid injuries, and the Mule train will Pe Ell Mossyrock Loggers Napavine Winlock/ToledoPirates Trojans Ducks Vikings (7-3) out.

Tigers Warhawks or United

5

Toledo Indians

Napavine Tigers

Pe Ell Trojans

GAMES TO WATCH

5

Winlock Toledo Cardinals at Morton/White Pass — The Indians have visions of 2B domination after an offseaWinlock/Toledo son drop from the Warhawks or United Trico. MWP is trying to maintain its dynasty after the graduation of its influential senior class. Somebody will be re-adjusting those sights after opening night.

Morton/White Pass Timberwolves

Wahkiakum Mules

TOUTLE LAKE (4-7)

Morton/White Pass Timberwolves

9

Mossyrock Vikings

Winlock Cardinals

MOSSYROCK (2-7)

A young Vikings squad that had just three seniors on the roster was shown little mercy last fall. Time to turn those hard lessons into hard knocks.

Morton/White Pass Timberwolves

5

Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

OCT.

3

Toutle Lake at Winlock

Warhawks or United

Adna Pirates

SEPT.

Toutle Lake at Wahkiakum

The wild card of the bunch, nobody knows what to make of the 7 offseason merging of Pe Ell and Willapa Valley. With a sumMorton/White Pass chemistry, Winlockthe Titans could be a sleeping mer spent developing Wahkiakum Toutle Lake Timberwolves Cardinals PE ELL/WILLAPA Mules Ducks giant.

Winlock/Toledo VALLEY (N/A)

8

Winlock Cardinals

OCT.

30 Wahkiakum at Toledo

Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

10 WINLOCK (0-10)

Pity the poor Cardinals, who carry the state’s longest losing streak (29 games) into 2014. The Central 2B is no place to rebuild.

Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

16765501.indd 15

Morton/White Timberwolv

SEPT.

The offensive line returns intact, and four other offensive start6 ers are back as well. Option virtuoso Travis McMillion is not one Morton/White Pass Winlock Pe Ell Wahkiakum Lake Timberwolves Cardinals Trojans of them, however.

ONALASKA (5-5) Toutle Mules A new leader must step up.

Ducks

The Scott Grabenhorst era finished with a surprise state tournament trip last fall after the Ducks’ playoff upset of North Beach. Can first-year head coach Art WalshWahkiakum capitalize onMorton/White that Pass Pe Ell Toutle Lake Timberwolves Napavine Trojans Winlock/Toledo Mules Ducks momentum?

Tigers Warhawks or United

Wahkiakum Mules

Toutle Lake Ducks

8/28/2014 12:51:22 PM

Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

Winlock Cardinals

LEAGUE PREVIEWS

LEAGUE ORDER BASED ON PROJECTIONS BY DAILY NEWS SPORTS STAFF

GRAYS HARBOR 1A/2A 2013 league champion: Tenino Postseason berths: TBD

DAN JAKCSON / THE DAILY WORLD

1. EATONVILLE (7-3 in 2013) The Cruisers come in from the 1A Nisqually League with all-league QB Jacob McCormick, RB/LB George Tomel, and linemen Will Harris, Justin Kalin and John Warner.

GSHL 4A

EVERGREEN 2A

2013 league champion: Camas Postseason berths: 3

2013 champion: Tumwater Postseason berths: 2

1. UNION (8-3 in 2013) Former Fort Vancouver coach Gary McGarvie, who led the Trappers to their last postseason berth in 2004, was hired to guide the Titans. Union returns five all-leaguers, including Division-I QB prospect Nolan Henry and TE Zach Caston (101 receptions, 1,485 yards in 2013).

1. TUMWATER (13-1 in 2013) The T-Birds, who fell to Lynden in the 2A state final for the second straight year, lost four all-state players to graduation. They return all-state LB Addison Barrett and punter Elijah Hill. Easton Trakel, who ran for 1,710 yards and 13 TDs in 2013, is also back and has the eye of Nebraska and USC.

2. MOUNTAIN VIEW (9-3) The Thunder won the GSHL 3A crown before falling to O’Dea in the state quarterfinals. All-league RB Preston Jones rushed for 1,083 yards and 17 TDs as a sophomore.

3. CAMAS (13-1) The Papermakers graduated four all-state players, including 4A player of the year Reilly Henenessey at QB, from last year’s 4A runners-up. Eight all-league picks are gone.

4. SKYVIEW (6-5) The Storm is led by QB Zac Shomler, who passed for 1,785 yards and 19 TDs as a junior and is ranked 16th in the state by northwestindex.com.

5. BATTLE GROUND (4-5) The Tigers, coached by Mark Morris grad and ex-R.A. Long assistant Larry Peck, lost four all-leaguers. Receiver Parker Randle is back after catching 32 passes for 620 yards and nine TDs. 6. HERITAGE (2-7) Chuck Hawthorne takes over after the abrupt resignation of Jack Hathaway. Hawthorne last coached from 1981-89 as Mountain View’s first football coach.

7. EVERGREEN (4-5) Speedster Billy Nelson transfers in from Portland’s Roosevelt High and will be a standout on offense and defense. Utah-bound WR Justice Murphy will shag passes from Brandon Bea, who threw for 1,181 yards and eight TDs last season.

2. BLACK HILLS (4-5) The Wolves graduated all-state DL Zach Grate along with five allleague players, but return secondteam all-league QB Jayden Troy, WR Mark Melendres and DB Cooper Nygren.

3. W.F. WEST (9-2) The Bearcats, who fell to Sumner in the first round of the state playoffs, hope to reload after graduating allstate QB Tanner Gueller, WR Bryan Moon and 11 all-EvCo picks.

4. CENTRALIA (2-7) Second-year coach Matt Whitmire will have a bevy of underclassmen to work with. Junior QB Joe Finch and senior WR Mitchel Halbleib bring experience to the roster.

2. ABERDEEN (4-6) The Bobcats arrive from the GSHL 2A after one season with former Hoquiam and Lake Quinault coach Kevin Ridout at the helm. Linebacker Joel Dublanko (pictured at far left) is being recruited by Alabama, Florida State, Notre Dame and every Pac-12 school.

3. MONTESANO (6-5) The Bulldogs, who lost to Cascade Christian in the first round of the state playoffs, return all-league RB Anthony Louthan and LB Logan Truax.

4. ELMA (5-5) Two-time all-leaguer Joe Wilson anchors the lines, and is joined by returning all-league kicker Steven Persell.

5. ROCHESTER (6-4) The Warriors, now in 2A, return five all-SWW 1A Evergreen selections, including RB/DB Lucas Eastman, TE/LB Wyatt Singer, and linemen Matt Shields, Juan Jiminez and Bobby Brien.

6. TENINO (6-5) The Beavers fell to King’s in the first round of the state playoffs. They return all-SWW 1A Evergreen WR/ LB Thomas Pier, linemen Jonathan Jones-Newman and Riley Noonan, and DB Zeb Chamberlain.

7. FORKS (4-5) The Spartans bring back all-SWW 1A Evergreen first-team RB/LB Demitri Sampson and DB Javier Contreras.

8. HOQUIAM (2-7) The Grizzlies hope to return to playoff contention with the return of all-SWW 1A Evergreen standout LB Tahj Malone, DB Jerod Steen and punter Tyler White.

— Rick McCorkle / The Daily News

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PROGNOSTICATION

Columbia Napavine (aka White Salmon) Tigers Bruins

Castle Rock Rockets

PeKalama Ell Columbia River Trojans Chinooks

Chieftians

MATT SCHUBERT

Toutle Lake La Center Fort Vancouver Ducks Wildcats

Trappers

Toledo Wahkiakum Stevenson Kelso IndiansMules Bulldogs

Hilanders

Pound-for-pound rankings of the top teams in Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon

1. NAPAVINE A disappointing exit from the Class 2B state quarterfinals provided some offseason fuel for a team stocked with talented returning seniors.

North Beach All eyes are on Hyaks the Tacoma Dome.

Christian igators

5. NORTH BEACH Raymond may draw the preseason nod from the Pacific 2B coaches, but the beefy Hyaks are the ones with the most returning talent in the pipeline, including beastly road-grader Caleb Bridge.

2. COLUMBIA RIVER The Chieftains are the anomaly among the area’s A schools — 2013 contenders who bringHockinson back a majority of their playmakers for another Hawks Ocosta run at theWildcats postseason.

Rainier Columbians

6. HOCKINSON The one GSHL 2A contender not gutted by graduation gets back its charismatic leader in defensive guru Rick Steele.

Expect the pads to be popping in Brush Prairie.

4. TOLEDO 3. LA CENTER In any other 2B league, the Established powers such as the Wildcats withstand heavy Indians’ blend of experience, Lewis and 3A would depthClark and athleticism loses season after season. make them prohibitive favorThis fall should be no diffMark er- Morris Ilwaco ites. In the Central 2B gauntent.Raymont Reload, retool and repeat Monarchs Hockinson Fishermen Seagulls Mark Morris let, the newbies must earn it. in Hawks a weakened Trico.

Clatskanie Monarchs Warrenton, Tigers Ore. Warriors

7. CLATSKANIE The Tigers’ golden generation reaches its senior year with one last shot at dethroning their Columbian rivals. Plug a few holes up front, and the long-awaited breakthrough arrives.

8. MARK MORRIS The reign of the Monarchs has been declared dead more than once in this particular space. As a show of blind faith, they get the final spot here to begin 2014.

Morton/White Pass

Onalaska Seton Timberwolves LOCAL POWER 8 Prairie Loggers Cougars 1.

Toledo Falcons 2. Clatskanie 3. Mark Morris 4. Woodland 5. Wahkiakum 6. Kalama 7. Rainier 8. Kelso

STATE POWER 8 1. Bellevue 2. Lynden 3. Freeman 4. Bothell R.A. Long 5.Winlock/Toledo Eastside Catholic Lumberjacks Knappa R.A. or Long Warhawks United Chief Leske 6. Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Life Christian Loggers Lumberjacks 7. Neah Bay 2A NW 8. Ellensburg NATIONAL POWER 8 1. Cedar Hill (Texas) 2. Allen (Texas) 3. Hoover (Alabama) 4. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 5. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)

6. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) 7. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) 8. Centreville (Clifton, Va.) — MaxPreps.com

Portland Christian Royals

BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

TAYLOR HICKS AND THE TOLEDO INDIANS HAVE THEIR EYES ON RUNNING THROUGH THE CENTRAL 2B.

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Kelso Hilanders

ncouver ppers

Prairie Falcons

KELSO HILANDERS LEAGUE: GSHL 3A

WIAA ENROLLMENT: 1,084

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 15 (1 TITLE)

THE SPOTLIGHT

That one glove you see on Jake Murphy’s right hand?

Yep, that’s on purpose. The senior got the nickname “One-Glove Wonder” last season and has rolled with it ever since. Whatever works — Murphy was an allleague DE in his limited accessories.

PROJECTED STARTERS * All-league selection last year; returning starters in bold

RETURNERS 4

Zak Schueller Hayden Gillen Mason Meeker Sonny Chhim Colin Connolly Steven Christian Jake Murphy Kyle Beach Josh Free Andre Avalos Brandon Ruhland

RETURNERS 3 DE DT DT DE OLB ILB ILB OLB CB CB FS

6-1 5-9 5-11 5-8 5-7 6-0 6-2 6-2 5-11 5-9 6-3

175 180 175 150 165 215 210 260 205 200 295

Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

DEFENSE 4-4

Jake Murphy Kyle Beach Brandon Ruhland Steven Christian Hayden Gillen Jeremy Vail Chayse Moseley Tyler Workman Mason Meeker Josh Powers Colin Connolly

6-2 6-2 6-3 6-0 5-9 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-11 5-8 5-7

210 260 295 215 180 180 175 150 175 140 165

Sr.* Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr.* Sr. Sr.

COACH

Kelso quarterback Zak Schueller is back at the helm of the Scottie offense in Year Two of the Steve Amrine Era.

Steve Amrine, second year Record at school 3-7

Scots moving in right direction as they look to start off strong

LAST SEASON Playoff games in bold

at Mark Morris Heritage R.A. Long at Evergreen Hudson’s Bay at Columbia River Fort Vancouver at Mountain View Prairie at O’Dea

L L L L W L W L W L

40-20 25-7 42-21 55-35 41-20 33-10 42-20 55-0 13-0 49-7

SCHEDULE League games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

Mark Morris at R.A. Long Prairie at Centralia at Fort Vancouver W.F. West at Black Hill Heritage Columbia River

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

QB FB RB WR WR TE LT LG C RG RT

OFFENSE I-FORM

3 9 3 7

The Kelso coaches call it playing downhill.

And for the first four weeks of last season, the Hilanders didn’t do it under first-year head coach Steve Amrine.

The defense sprung leaks, the offense was missing pop, and the double-digit losses piled up, one after the other en route to an 0-4 start that included two defeats at the hands of those rivals across the river.

A disastrous opening month — one Kelso must avoid this fall with two of its three league games coming during the first five weeks.

“We need to get off to a better start this year,” Amrine said.

For senior defensive end Jake Murphy, the solution is simple: “Every down we got to play like it’s our first — as fast as we can no matter what.”

Urgency is a familiar thing for these Scotties — it arrived before spring football even began.

To be more precise, it came on the very last out of the Kelso baseball season, when star-in-waiting Davis Radcliffe tore an anterior cruciate ligament stretching out for first base.

The resulting shuffle left all-league wide receiver Mason Meeker in the backfield, a place he hasn’t been since middle school.

“He was obviously a big loss,” said Meeker, who had 36 receptions for 374 yards last season. “He was going to be our starting tailback, so personally... it’s a learning curve.

“Learn how to play tailback, but just try to get better at it every day and learn how to work without him.”

The run game never did find its consistency a year ago, even as Kelso rallied with three wins in its final five regular-season games to reach the playoffs. And those struggles bled over into the passing attack, where first-year starter Zak Schueller was forced to throw the ball 26 times a game.

Offseason film study with Coach Amrine revealed plenty of red flags.

“I was being really robotic. I wasn’t comfortable in the pocket or anything like that,” said Schueller, who completed 86 of 173 passes for 875 yards. “This year I’m just getting back to backyard football and having fun.”

It helps that his receiving corps now runs six deep, even with the loss of senior Somit Chhim and Meeker’s move to running back.

Beefy right tackle Brandon Ruhland is back to protect the edge, and Murphy has shifted from tight end to left tackle to complete a line made up of only seniors.

The other side of the ball is senior-laded as well, ready to build off last year’s late surge to the postseason.

The inertia is there. The Scotties are all moving in one direction.

“We ride our own ship,” Schueller said. “It’s going to be a lot different than last year. ... Instead of having four or five high-energy guys like last year, we have up to 25. That really helps. I just think that the sky is the limit for us this year.”

— Matt Schubert /The Daily News

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R.A. Long Lumberjacks

Mark Morris Monarchs

Washougal Panthers

Hudson’s Bay Eagles

MARK MORRIS MONARCHS LEAGUE: GSHL 2A

WIAA ENROLLMENT: 783

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 11

Woodland Beavers

THE SPOTLIGHT

Ridgefield Spudders

With only 40 upperclassmen on this year’s 90-player roster, Mark Morris will have a lot of newcomers learning on the fly. “We have to throw a lot of them into the fire early and take some shots,” MM coach Shawn Perkins said.

PROJECTED STARTERS * All-league selection last year; returning starters in bold

RETURNERS 2 QB RB RB FB WR TE T G C G T

OFFENSE WING-T

James Manthe Daniel Wiltfong Jordan Frost August Shulda Will Burghardt Chris Jabusch Curtis King* Dalton Mattison Joe Leal Nigel Princehouse Trevor McGuigan

RETURNERS 1

5-9 5-10 6-1 6-1 5-11 6-2 6-4 6-1 5-9 6-5 6-3

203 164 185 194 168 193 252 233 232 253 266

Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr.

DEFENSE 4-2

DE Chris Jabusch DT Nigel Princehouse DT Trevor McGuigan DE Curtis King LB August Shulda LB Dalton Mattison OLB Daniel Wiltfong OLB Jordan Frost CB Will Burghardt CB Rowan Seals S Elijah West

6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-1 5-10 6-1 5-11 5-11 5-9

193 193 266 252 194 233 164 185 168 156 163

Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

COACH Shawn Perkins, 12th year Record at school

69-48

LAST SEASON Playoff games in bold

Kelso at Hudson’s Bay Columbia River at Prairie at Aberdeen Hockinson at Ridgefield Washougal at R.A. Long Capital Lindbergh Prosser

W W L W W W W W W W W L

40-20 55-8 23-20 22-0 21-14 42-14 48-7 49-22 28-21 13-10 14-7 41-22

Mark Morris’ Dalton Mattison (73) is one of the few returning starters from last year’s 2A state quarterfinal team.

Monarchs retool with young roster in bid to stay atop league

SCHEDULE League games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 11 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at Kelso Columbia River R.A. Long at Hockinson Prairie at Woodland Hudson’s Bay Ridgefield at Washougal

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

10 9 4 9

One season ago, Mark Morris had four non-seniors starting on offense and defense.

This season, the Monarchs have a combined six seniors in starting roles.

“We have a lot of holes to fill,” MM coach Shawn Perkins said. “We have three or four with significant varsity time, and we have a lot of kids who like to compete and work hard.”

With a trip to last year’s 2A state quarterfinals in the rearview mirror, confidence will be the name of the game for the Monarchs. While starters return up front, every last skill position must be replaced — from the quarterback on down.

“The players have to be confident in what they’re doing, and I think they are,” Perkins said. “The kids playing on Friday will be comfortable. They may not be as fast as last year’s team, but they’ll work hard and get yards.”

Finding leaders will also take time.

“Practice is more about leadership learning than learning skills and drills,” Perkins said. “We have some great juniors who will be leaders. It’s nice to see them gel and come out of their comfort zones.”

Perkins said the offense won’t deviate much from the Wing-T that has now become synonymous with Mark Morris football during its recent run of success.

“It’s a system offense that’ll be tweaked a little so we’ll refer to it as a hybrid Wing-T,” Perkins said.

“The kids are confident in it, and I want them to be comfortable, go out there and have some fun. The terminology and the footwork hasn’t changed from the freshman or junior varsity levels, so when they hear a play they know what it is.”

One big loss to the Monarchs is all-league senior lineman Cole Enriquez, who is injured and will miss part of the season.

“Cole has a bad knee,” Perkins said. “He’ll be out for a bit, and we’re hoping to get him back later in the season.”

Perkins noted the Monarchs will learn a lot about themselves early when they face Class 3A Kelso and Columbia River in the first two weeks.

“River has a lot of guys back and will be lightsout, and Kelso is also improved and will be a good test,” he said. “We don’t have any gimme games, and we’ll learn a lot about ourselves early and often.

“We need to continue working hard, believe in ourselves and the system, and see where we’re at in nine weeks.”

— Rick McCorkle / The Daily News

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R. A. LONG LUMBERJACKS LEAGUE: GSHL 3A

WIAA ENROLLMENT: 764

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 1

THE SPOTLIGHT

Several Jacks bulked up this summer under a strength program by RAL grad Rocky Zepeda of FOE CrossFit in Longview. The regimen — one-hour high-intensity workouts with varied movements, added 20 pounds to Owen Bertram’s frame alone.

PROJECTED STARTERS * All-league selection last year; returning starters in bold

OFFENSE I-FORM

QB Owen Bertram FB Austin Darnell* RB Riley Opgrande WR Hunter Jones WR Lamar Swagerty* TE Ryan Geier OT Keoni Mawae OG Matt Fugleberg* C Anthony Wingate OG Dimitri Myers OT Dillon Miller

6-5 5-10 5-8 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-3 6-5 5-9 5-7 5-9

235 180 165 167 166 172 230 211 173 212 252

Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. So.

RETURNERS 4 DEFENSE 4-4 DE Matt Fugleberg 6-5 211 DE David Johnson 5-11 171 DT Marcus Graham 5-10 208 DT Bryan Hua 5-10 228 LB Austin Darnell 5-10 180 LB Ryan Geier 6-0 172 LB Jerrad Johnson 5-9 156 LB Will Teigen 5-6 191 CB Payton Miller* 6-0 160 CB Lamar Swaggerty* 5-10 166 FS Spencer Thorsen 5-11 225

Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

JOHN MARKON / THE DAILY NEWS

RETURNERS 3

COACH Erik Bertram, seventh year Record at school: 34-25

Owen Bertram gives the Lumberjacks yet another capable pocket passer to man their spread attack.

LAST SEASON Playoff games in bold

at Battle Ground Rochester at Kelso Fort Vancouver Washougal at Aberdeen Hockinson at Ridgefield Mark Morris at W.F. West

W W W W W W W W L L

49-28 49-7 42-21 42-13 56-14 15-8 34-30 49-12 28-21 35-28

SCHEDULE League games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 16 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at Columbia River Kelso at Mark Morris Washougal at Ridgefield at Prairie Woodland at Hudson’s Bay Hockinson

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

8 4 2 7

Bertram gets his chance on the field for rebuilt Lumberjacks Owen Bertram has been on the sidelines since he could walk.

He was the kid in the cutoff jersey chasing down errant throws at Wahluke (Mattawa, Wash.) and, after that, R.A. Long — soaking up every last detail of the Friday night lights his father, Erik, was at the center of.

He was the one listening in on the huddles, studying the signals and, eventually, relaying them to Ryan Peerboom as the Lumberjack quarterback’s understudy.

Now, he’s the one ready to step out on the field.

“There’s always pressure on the quarterback, and when you’re the coach’s kid, there’s probably a bit more,” his father, and RAL head coach, Erik Bertram said. “But he’s always handled that well. ...

He’ll be a rookie, and he’ll make mistakes, but he’s been in some big situations in his life.”

More importantly, Owen’s been around football his whole life — “growing up with (Erik) coaching football since I was in my mom’s belly,” as he puts it.

So even though he’s entering his first season as quarterback of an RAL varsity undergoing a roster overhaul, there’s little doubt the 6-foot4, 235-pound junior can man the controls of the Jacks’ spread attack.

“He can really throw it. He’s accurate and he makes smart decisions,” senior receiver Payton

Miller said. “In the spring even (at camp), he just played like he played his freshman and sophomore seasons (on JV). He was really mature.”

That’s a trait the Jacks can certainly use this fall.

With just three starters back on offense and four on defense, RAL’s 69-man roster is green.

Senior Matt Fugleberg is the last man standing from a star-studded offensive line that saw the four other starters move on to college athletic programs.

And, of course, there’s no Jacob Yordy in the backfield for the first time in four years.

“We don’t have that one spectacular player, but we’re a really solid core group,” Owen said. “That was a great crew (last year). It was pretty amazing getting to watch them start out 8-0, play the best Civil War arguably ever.”

Despite the talent exodus, the Jacks aren’t lacking athletes.

The backfield hopes to replace Yordy’s near2,000 yards rushing with a committee made up of sophomore Riley Opgrande, Civil War hero Austin Darnell and senior newcomer Spencer Thorsen.

And the receiving corps has a collection of rangy athletes featuring Miller, Lamar Swagerty and Hunter Jones —the first two of which double as returning starters on a defense that has nine seniors.

“We have potential,” Fugleberg said. “We’re young, but that just means that we all have room to grow.”

After years of watching from the sidelines, Owen certainly knows something about that.

— Matt Schubert / The Daily News

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Beavers

Spudders

WOODLAND BEAVERS LEAGUE: GSHL 2A

WIAA ENROLLMENT: 472

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 10

THE SPOTLIGHT

This will be the last season the Beavers play at Woodland Stadium. Next fall they move into brand new digs at the new high school on the north side of town, complete with artificial turf and a 1,550-seat grandstand. If only Eli Whitmire had one more year of eligibility.

PROJECTED STARTERS * All-league selection last year; returning starters in bold

RETURNERS 4

OFFENSE SPREAD

QB Thomas Brower FB Eli Whitmire* TE Jared Cloud WR Hunter Raney WR Ben Clevenger WR Trevor Huddleston* OT Isaac Anderson OG Jeff Jackson C Mckay Flanagan OG Jordan Reyes OT Chase Barber

165 170 200 155 175 165 255 190 180 275 245

Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr.

DEFENSE 4-4

Ethan Autrey Chase Barber Austin Rintala Nathan Cloud Cody Shepherd Tristan Thomas Troy Flanagan* Eli Whitmire Trevor Huddleston Hunter Raney Ben Clevenger

6-0 6-3 5-10 6-1 6-2 5-11 6-0 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-3

185 245 190 200 190 180 175 170 165 155 175

Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr.

BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

RETURNERS 5 DE DT DT DE LB LB LB LB CB CB FS

6-0 5-10 6-1 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-3

Woodland’s Troy Flanagan, left, and the Beavers will once again open their season with a matchup against their 8-mile rivals in Kalama.

COACH Mark Greenleaf, 12th year Record at school:

It’s young versus old in battle for Woodland starting QB spot

69-32

LAST SEASON Playoff games in bold

at Kalama Castle Rock Seton Catholic at Montesano at Ilwaco Toledo at Stevenson White Salmon at La Center Rochester at Mount Baker

W W W W W W W W L W L

40-0 47-7 74-0 47-3 48-0 55-6 62-28 42-9 52-21 47-21 42-7

SCHEDULE League games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 16 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

Kalama at La Center Hudson’s Bay at Ridgefield at Washougal Mark Morris at R.A. Long Hockinson at Fort Vancouver

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

9 8 5 0

Wyatt Harsh is the future of Woodland football.

Of that, there is no doubt.

Whether or not he’s the Beavers’ present, however, remains to be seen.

As his first prep football season approaches, the freshman wunderkind finds himself locked in a battle with senior Thomas Brower for the Woodland quarterback position each has coveted for years.

Every practice is a proving ground, every throw an assessment, every decision a referendum on who gets behind the wheel of the Beavers fastpaced spread.

“It’s a competition every single day,” Woodland head coach Mark Greenleaf said. “And it’s not just throwing the ball. It’s how you handle it in the huddle, how you react when kids drop balls. It’s all about leadership.”

Early returns have the race too close to call.

While Brower may hold a slight edge in the physical tools, the 6-foot, 160-pound Harsh has the decision-making and overall pocket presence of a player two to three years his senior.

It’s all the direct result of years of preparation.

Harsh, after all, approached Coach Greenleaf for the Beavers’ offensive playbook when he was a sixth-grader. And he has been studying it ever since so he can be ready for this exact moment.

He’s also attended Barton Football Academy since he was 11 and began working under exWashington State quarterback Alex Brink with the elite QB group this past year.

“It’s been my goal since fourth grade to start on varsity as a freshman,” said Harsh, whose father, Richie, is a Woodland assistant coach.

Brower has put in hours of his own as well, slowly biding his time in the program and traveling to multiple camps in an attempt to claim the job left behind by all-state signal caller Hunter Huddleston.

“We’re pretty good off the field, but on the field it’s competitive,” Brower said of the face-off between he and Harsh. “I always want to be the best, so I want the most reps, the most playing time I can get, and I’m sure he wants that too.

“We’ve both been working at it, and I’ve been working at it all summer, all offseason, my whole life pretty much.”

Whoever gets the job inherits a multitude of weapons at the skill positions and a line returning both starting tackles.

The offense starts with Eli Whitmire and bruising fullback Nathan Cloud in the backfield, and extends out wide to speedy all-league receiver Trevor Huddleston, long-armed tight end transfer Cody Shepherd (Madras, Ore.) and countless others slotting into the Woodland attack.

And they don’t care who is the one throwing to them, just that it’s on target.

“I don’t think anybody on our team cares if it’s a senior or a freshman,” senior receiver Troy Flanagan said.

“We just want to go out there and win games, and whoever wins the job we’re going to respect.

This isn’t a senior team or a junior team, this is the varsity. If you’re on varsity, you’re on varsity for a reason.”

— Matt Schubert / The Daily News

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Castle Rock Rockets

(aka White Salmon) Bruins

Chinooks

La Center Wildcats

CASTLE ROCK ROCKETS LEAGUE: TRICO 1A

WIAA ENROLLMENT: 307

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 13 (1 TITLE)

Bulldogs

THE SPOTLIGHT

Cougars

Look for Talib Meeks to make some noise from the slot back position this fall. “He’s probably our nicest specimen of an athlete that we have,” CR Coach Ben Suhrbier said.

“He’s quite a natural athlete.”

PROJECTED STARTERS * All-league selection last year; returning starters in bold

RETURNERS 5 Mason Klingberg Tanner Catlin Talib Meeks Dylan Libby Dakota Golden Shawn Godinho A.J. Lien Luke Rahn D.J. Richardson Chris Millward Jared Belcher

RETURNERS 5

6-2 5-9 6-2 5-11 5-8 6-0 6-0 5-10 5-8 5-7 5-10

180 145 210 175 135 165 260 200 185 155 180

Sr. So. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr.

DEFENSE 4-3

DE Talib Meeks* DT A.J. Lien DT Jared Belcher DE Luke Rahn OLB Chris Millward ILB Tanner Catlin OLB Mason Klingberg FS Boris Langdon SS Shawn Godinho CB Dylan Libby CB David Dangleis

6-2 6-0 5-10 5-10 5-7 5-9 6-2 5-6 6-0 5-11 5-9

210 260 180 210 155 145 180 130 165 175 135

Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. So. Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr.

BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

QB FB SB SB WR TE T G C G T

OFFENSE PISTOL

COACH Ben Suhrbier, fourth year Record at school

14-14

LAST SEASON

Castle Rock quarterback Mason Klingberg will be at the center of the Rockets’ new-look attack.

Playoff games in bold

Seton Catholic at Woodland at Stevenson La Center Hoquiam at Kalama at White Salmon Ilwaco Toledo

W L W L L L L W W

35-7 47-7 15-6 48-14 37-7 34-0 42-7 38-8 24-13

Rockets hope pistol offense takes team to new heights

SCHEDULE League games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

Ridgefield at Tenino Hockinson King’s Way Christian at La Center at Seton Catholic White Salmon Stevenson Kalama

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

4 6 4 3

Preseason camps are a way for teams to bond while learning new plays.

They can also be costly.

Castle Rock learned that the hard way at Camp Rilea team camp in Warrenton, Ore., this summer, when senior running back Austin Darvell suffered a season-ending shoulder separation.

Despite the loss, the Rockets remain optimistic — if a little less deep in the backfield.

“For us, it’s about developing the family concept,” CR coach Ben Suhrbier said of the camp experience. “We like to see it as a way for teammates to come together as a unit.”

With five returning offensive starters among the 45 players on the roster, the Rockets have quickly adapted to their new pistol offense with returner Mason Klingberg under center. Suhrbier said the CR pistol is comparable to a fly sweep or shortshotgun formation.

“Our fullback will be off-set, and the Z-back and tailback will be at the slot or wing,” he said. “We will always have one of them in motion.”

The Rockets installed the offense this offseason, and have worked out the kinks since.

“We looked good at camp and have made leaps and bounds,” Suhrbier said. “We haven’t had to reinvent the wheel, and we’ve run all of our running plays in the third day of practice. The kids are really picking it up fast.”

Defensively, the Rockets return six starters and will switch between a 4-3 and a stack-3.

“It all depends on who we’re playing,” Suhrbier said. “We’ve also had situations where we’ve switched defenses during a game because one or the other wasn’t working.”

Suhrbier noted the coaching staff adopted a new philosophy for placing players into positions prior to the first practice.

“Even though we have a number of guys coming back who started last year, we’ve made every position up for grabs,” he said.

“Nothing is automatic, even if you played the position last year. I want everyone to know there is someone breathing down their neck and pushing them for playing time.”

Added competition never hurts, especially for a program looking to get itself back in the playoff picture.

“I hope we can compete for the league title,” Suhrbier said. “We have the kids to do it and the new offense makes us more versatile and threedimensional.”

— Rick McCorkle / The Daily News

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8/28/2014 12:51:41 PM

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Toledo Indians

Onalaska Loggers

Adna Pirates

TOLEDO INDIANS LEAGUE: CENTRAL 2B

WIAA ENROLLMENT: 208

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 10

Mossyrock Vikings

THE SPOTLIGHT

Pe Ell Trojans

Napavine Tigers

By dropping back into the Central 2B, Toledo reunites with their old rival Winlock. The two teams last faced off in 2009 for the 85th Battle of the Cowlitz. The Indians won 44-6.

PROJECTED STARTERS * All-league selection last year; returning starters in bold

RETURNERS 6 QB RB RB RB WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

OFFENSE WING-T

Dalton Yoder Taylor Hicks* Mason Gual Dakota Robins Konner Crawford Gabe Fuentes TJ Demery Alfonso Carpenter Seth Nichols Austin Eaton Daniel Etchle

RETURNERS 8 OLB DT DT DT OLB MLB MLB CB CB S FS

6-4 5-9 5-10 5-10 6-3 6-0 6-0 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-1

220 190 180 175 170 175 175 195 230 230 185

So. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. So. So. Jr. So. Sr. Sr.

DEFENSE 5-2

Dalton Yoder Daniel Etchle Alfonso Carpenter Mason Gual* Gabe Fuentes Austin Eaton Logan Holbrook Dylan Hoiseck Konner Crawford Grant McEwen Taylor Hicks*

6-4 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-0 5-10 5-8 5-9 6-3 5-10 5-9

220 185 195 180 175 230 155 155 170 190 190

So. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr.

COACH BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

Jeremy Thibault, third year Record at school 8-11

LAST SEASON Playoff games in bold

at Stevenson at White Salmon Forks at Ilwaco at Seton Catholic at Woodland Kalama La Center at Castle Rock

W L L W W L L L L

24-6 13-14 0-19 20-0 39-22 6-55 6-33 49-12 13-24

Toledo’s Mason Gaul, left, is part of a three-headed monster in the backfield that’s sure to wreak havoc on Central 2B defenses.

A move down has Indians on the rise in Central 2B League

SCHEDULE League games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 30

at Morton/White Pass Pe Ell-Willapa Valley at Winlock at Adna Onalaska at Napavine at Mossyrock at Toutle Lake Wahkiakum

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

3 5 10 7

The Toledo Indians have a target on their back, and they know it.

Coming down from Class 1A, third-year head coach Jeremy Thibault knows all eyes are on his team.

“The perception is that we’re the big boys,” he said. “We’re not that much bigger. Maybe 10 to 20 kids.”

While he may disagree with the perception, Toledo has the talent and depth to deal with the increased expectations.

The team returns almost all of its key contributors from last year while adding basketball standout Grant McEwen, who played as a sophomore but focused on basketball his junior year.

“It’s my senior year, and I missed it,” he said.

“There’s nothing like those Friday night lights.”

Although it’s not clear yet where McEwen will be lining up, he’s expected to be a big contributor.

“Grant’s too good of an athlete to not be on the field,” Thibault said.

Thibault built his team on the foundation of a

solid defense. Two full-time starters return while another 16 got starting experience at different points last season, Thibault said Even in shorts and helmets, it was easy to see that the fast, physical unit is going to be disruptive.

“Our whole team is pretty athletic,” he said.

“Almost every one of them is a two- or threesport athlete.”

Junior Taylor Hicks, a third-year starter and second-team TDN all-area selection a year ago, said defense and depth will be the team’s biggest strengths.

“We’ve got a dominant defense, and the offense will follow through,” he said. “We have a good 11 and a strong second team.”

While the move to 2B comes with the benefits of being one of the bigger schools with much less travel time, the league is arguably one the deepest in the state. Thibault said he believes seven or eight teams are competing for those playoff spots.

While Toledo maybe one of the favorites, don’t expect them to look past anyone.

“We expect every game to be a dog fight,” sophomore quarterback Dalton Yoder said.

— Ryan Horlen / The Daily News

28 16765501.indd 28

8/28/2014 12:51:44 PM

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8/28/2014 12:51:45 PM

PILLARS OF THE AREA’S COACHING COMMUNITY

the HIPPI

236 wins and 5 state titles in 31 years coaching

HAMMER

2 undefeated seasons at RAL 30 16765501.indd 30

8/28/2014 12:51:48 PM

pantheon

By Rick McCorkle / rickmc@tdn.com

T

ed Hippi’s passion for the pigskin poured out during pregame speeches.

A master motivator who amassed numbers his peers could only dream of, the flat-topped football coach crackled with intensity on game days.

As Gordon Schillinger tells it, Hippi’s words would fill up a locker room as his energy bubbled over in those final moments before kickoff.

“He’d get this white film on his lips, like slobber,” Schillinger said. “He’d get really excited.”

GRABENHORST

LAULAINEN

BATE

Toutle Lake coach for 35 years

9 league crowns, 1 state title at Kelso

133 wins in 19 years and 1 state title

16765501.indd 31

8/28/2014 12:51:51 PM

PHOTOS COURTESY TOLEDO HIGH SCHOOL

PILLARS OF THE AREA’S COACHING COMMUNITY

So, too, did his teams, out of which Hippi routinely coaxed overthe-top efforts.

Schillinger, who played football for four seasons for Hippi at Toledo before graduating in 1963, said the Hall-of-Fame leader was driven to win, but not at all costs — tough, but fair.

“He was a no-nonsense coach and he was a good coach,” Schillinger said.

In 31 years of coaching football at five high schools — Myrtle Creek, Ore.; Dayton, Ore.; Toledo; Castle Rock; and Centralia — Hippi amassed a 236-37-2 record that included five state titles.

Toledo was awarded the Cliff Warling Plaque emblematic of the state’s Class B mythical state Ted Hippi and the 1969 football team. crown in 1957, ’67 and ’68.

Hippi retired after the 1970 seaplan he devised as a variation of the son and was inducted as a charter single-wing attack he played in as a member of the Washington State FootLittle All-American tailback at Linfield ball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1978. He College. died at age 80 on Feb. 27, 1995.

In the Spinner-T, the fullback set up The exclamation points of his career 2 ½ yards behind center with his elbows were the extended win streaks: a 27on his knees. The quarterback stood game run at Castle Rock in the early next to the fullback, and the halfbacks 1950s as well as 37- and 48-game would slot in behind the tackles. streaks at Toledo that included a pair of The fullback would take the snap and state titles. spin either left or right, and the halfback During one particularly dominant circled around and grabbed the ball. The fullback stretch, Toledo won 10 consecutive South Central would spin into the line and was followed by the halfLeague titles under Hippi’s watch. backs.

“I remember my second year at Toledo we lost “We would drop our front shoulders so you at Cathlamet (Wahkiakum) and we started the 48couldn’t tell who had the ball since there were three game winning streak after that,” said Hippi’s son, things going on at the same time,” Rob Hippi said.

Rob, now a baseball coach at Central Washington “We went down to Linfield and demonstrated it to University. “He had only one losing season when he their coaches, and they couldn’t tell who had the went 1-8-1 in 1961, and that was because they had a lot of bad luck with injuries. They came back the next ball.”

Exact cadence and perfect footwork was everyyear and were 10-0.” thing in mastering the Spinner-T. A big part of Hippi’s secret was getting his play“We practiced a lot on timing,” said Tim Fromm, ers to buy in to the “Spinner-T” offense — a game

a Toledo quarterback during the 1967-69 seasons. “We did a good job hiding the ball so the opposing linemen didn’t know who had it.”

Fromm’s teams never lost a game in his three years as the starting quarterback, and the Indians were perfect his entire four-year career (42 consecutive wins).

“I didn’t know what it was like to lose until I went to Oregon State University and played for Dee Andros,” Fromm said.

Toledo won the first six games of the 1970 season before suffering a setback that ended the run at what was then a state-record 48 games.

“We all felt bad and didn’t think it was possible,” former Toledo player Guy Buswell said of the loss.

Buswell recalled football at the high school field was the place to be on Friday nights in Toledo.

“I remember one of the newspapers stated if you were a thief, you could go to any house in Toledo during a home game because everyone was at the field,” he said. “It was standing-room only at the games and fans were 10 deep around the field.

“When we came out of the locker room and saw the crowds, it reminded me a lot of the movie ‘Hoosiers.’ ” Fromm believed a lot of Toledo’s success came through Hippi’s tough training regimen.

“We practiced hard,” Fromm said. “He told us when we looked across the line at our opponent in the fourth quarter, we’d have them beat based on how hard we practiced during the week running 10-, 20- and 30-yard-line drills.”

The players pushed themselves. They had no desire to let Hippi down, Fromm said.

“Our tongues were dragging a lot and we did it despite the grumbling because we knew about the winning streaks and that it was all worth it.”

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LEAGUE ORDER BASED UPON COACHES POLLS CONDUCTED BY DAILY NEWS SPORTS STAFF

Buck Hammer

PHOTOS COURTESY TOLEDO HIGH SCHOOL

Schools: Wheeler, Ore., Rainier, Klamath Falls, Ore., and R.A. Long (19421959) Record: Not available Story: The patriarch of modern Lower Columbia football led RAL to a pair of undefeated seasons and a mythical state championship in 1947. His RAL teams were .500 or better in all but two of the 17 years he coached — the Jacks lost just twice from 1945-47 — with several players going on to coach as well, most notably Ed Laulainen and Del Talley.

Ed Laulainen

School: Kelso (1971-1995) Record: 179-68-2 with 11 playoff appearances, nine league titles and one state championship Story: A perfect match for a town that prides itself on its working-class roots, Laulainen personified blue-collar tough. Disciplined and dogged, he trained his teams to pay attention to the most minute of details — from the blue blazers his players wore on game days, to the precise execution of his triple-option veer.

Tom Bate

Schools: Battle Ground (1975-78) and Castle Rock (1985-2004) Record: 143-86 overall; 133-69 at CR with five league titles, nine state playoff appearances and one state title Story: For two decades, the Castle Rock graduate made the most of his “dream job” — one he coveted so much he walked away from a head coaching position at Battle Ground just to get on as an assistant. Once the CR program was his, Bate cultivated a reputation around the state for rock-solid defense and innovative offense at The Rock.

Scott Grabenhorst

School: Lacrosse and Toutle Lake (1978-2013) Record: 184-178, 12 state playoff appearances, three state runner-up finishes Story: Unmatched in terms of longevity among the area’s coaching fraternity, Grabenhorst stepped down this summer after 35 years at TL and 38 overall. The Ducks reached the state championship game three times during his tenure, losing each one — 35-22 to Dayton in 1994, 14-7 to Columbia-Hunters in 1988 and 30-0 to DeSales in 2007.

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FOOTBALL LEGENDS

The Playoff Era’s Starting 11

By John Pisapia and Matt Schubert

I

magine you and your significant other have, say, 100 children. Then imagine you’re asked to select the top 11. A daunting assignment. That’s pretty much the task at hand here: Pick the top 11 football players who played in the state playoff era (1973-74) from The Daily News’ circulation area. Here are the choices (in alphabetical order):

Ty Fotheringill

Rodney Holland

School: Kelso (1994) College: Washington, Central Washington The numbers: 3,620 career rushing yards and 53 TDs The story: Trying to corral Fotheringill was like trying to nail Jell-O to a wall. Not easily done. A two-time GSHL offensive player of the year, Fotheringill led the state in scoring with 156 points (25 TDs and three two-pointers) his senior season. “You know, we have had some awfully good running backs here, but Ty was premiere because of his speed,” former Kelso head coach Ed Laulainen said. “Ty was an elite player.”

School: Mark Morris (1981) College: Montana State The numbers: 4.4-second 40-yard dash The story: In his junior year, Holland teamed with Allan Peterson to lead MM to the 1979 3A state title game (a 49-14 loss to Arlington). He rushed for 871 yards that season despite missing a game. Then, at MSU he used his speed to become a starting cornerback. Holland attended a Dallas Cowboys mini-camp after college, but a calf injury ended his NFL dreams.

Luke Fowler School: R.A. Long (2006) College: Washington State The numbers: 190 career receptions; 1,294 yards and 11 TDs as senior The story: The 6-1, 190-pound receiver owned every RAL receiving record and had the fourth-most receptions in state history by the time he left Longview. As a senior, Fowler set the single-season yardage mark and broke his father, Kyle’s, single-season TD record. He was selected all-state by just about every news outlet.

Steve Johnson School: Kalama (1980) College: Oregon The numbers: Two-year letterman with Ducks The story: Johnson was an overpowering basketball player at Kalama, and his athletic ability and work ethic carried over to the football field. That versatility allowed him to become a defensive tackle and long snapper at Oregon. He received the Clarke Trophy as most improved player in 1981 — an accolade selected by the coaching staff in honor of Dudley Clarke, captain of Oregon’s 1909 team.

Colin Kelly School: Kelso (2008) College: Oregon State The numbers: 25 straight starts at RT for Beavers The story: A tight end by trade with the Hilanders, the 6-5, 298-pound Kelly became an inronman on the O-line in Corvallis. After starting two years in a row at tackle, he signed a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs last year. He suffered a knee injury a month later, however, and was released. He recently signed with the Ottowa Redblacks of the CFL.

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LEAGUE ORDER BASED UPON COACHES POLLS CONDUCTED BY DAILY NEWS SPORTS STAFF

Andy Mason

Allan Peterson

School: Mark Morris (1989) College: Washington The numbers: 24 career sacks and 43 ½ tackles for loss at UW The story: As good as Mason was in high school — and believe it, he was good — the Monarch kicked it up a notch at UW. There were doubters when Mason moved to Montlake. Too big a jump, some said. Mason brushed that notion aside in 1991, starting 11 games at defensive end on the national title team. After two more productive UW years at linebacker, he had brief NFL stints with the L.A. Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs, and a tour with the CFL’s B.C. Lions.

School: Mark Morris (1980) College: Lower Columbia, LewisClark State The numbers: 1,685 rush yards and 24 TDs as senior The story: The 6-foot, 190-pound Peterson was “beast mode” before Marshawn Lynch. As a senior he put MM on his back during an epic run to the 1979 3A title game, piling up 741 yards and 10 TDs in four games. Oddly enough, however, it was baseball where Peterson made his bones, helping Lewis-Clark State to an NAIA national title before getting drafted by the California Angels in the 18th round of the MLB draft.

Jerod Moore

David Richie

School: Wahkiakum (1999) College: None The numbers: 6,128 career rushing yards (third all-time) and 83 TDs The story: Few wanted the spotlight less than Moore, and yet it almost always seemed to find him on Friday nights in Cathlamet. The reserved 5-10, 165-pound back broke out in a big way his sophomore season (1,502 yards) and climbed all the way to the top of the state’s career rushing list by the time he hung up the cleats. The record stood for five years before a guy by the name of Jonathan Stewart took it down in 2004.

School: Kelso (1992) College: Washington The numbers: 27 career sacks and 170 tackles at Kelso; 1 Super Bowl ring with Denver Broncos The story: Richie was a 6-4, 225pound defensive menace with sprinter’s speed as a Hilander. But after redshirting his freshman year at UW, Richie added 55 pounds to his frame and started 29 of the Dawgs’ next 36 games at defensive tackle as UW won two Pac-10 titles. A nomadic pro career led to NFL stops in Denver, San Francisco and Jacksonville over four seasons, as well as a stint with the L.A. Xtreme in the XFL’s lone campaign.

Adam Perry School: R.A. Long (2003) College: Western Washington The numbers: 5,582 career passing yards and 50 TDs at RAL; 5,208 career passing yards at WWU The story: The Jacks all-time passing leader was also the state’s most prolific QB in each of his final two seasons. His senior year alone — 168 of 276 passes completed for 2,371 yards and 24 TDs — would put him at the top of some area schools’ all-time lists. The numbers just got bigger in college, including a senior campaign that saw him throw for a WWU-best 3,244 yards and 28 TDs.

Chris Ware

THE NEXT 11: Dustin Eaton (Naselle) Mark Gehring (Castle Rock)

Brenden Marshall (R.A. Long) Dennis McGlone (Rainier) Darren Talley (Mark Morris)

16765501.indd 35

Zack Gehring (Castle Rock) Dan Grayson (Woodland) Tim Kofstad (Woodland)

School: Rainier (2008) College: Eastern Oregon The numbers: 11,074 career passing yards at EOU The story: Chris Ware took his quarterbacking skills from Columbia County to Union County and lit it up. Four years and 28 school records later, Ware finished up at EOU and signed with the Swedish football team Orebro Black Knights. As a team, EOU broke 30 school records during Ware’s time under center, and Ware left college football ranked seventh in NAIA history in career pass yards.

Dave Rukkila (Kelso) James Sillik (Kelso) Jacob Yordy (R.A. Long)

8/28/2014 12:52:16 PM

Columbia ka White Salmon) Bruins

Kalama Chinooks

Stevenson Bulldogs

La Center Wildcats

Seton Cougars

King’s Way Knights

KALAMA CHINOOKS LEAGUE: 1A TRICO

WIAA ENROLLMENT: 208

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 14 (1 TITLE)

THE SPOTLIGHT

While most schools desperately scrambled to drop down into lower classifications, the Kalama Chinooks took the unique step of opting up. At 208 students, the Chinooks could have been 2B beasts.

Instead, they’ll courageously slug it out in the Trico.

PROJECTED STARTERS * All-league selection last year; returning starters in bold

RETURNERS 5

Isaac Truesdell Carl Hausserman Jasper Pulido Victor Leatzow Corbyn Byrnes Hunter Esary* Casey Sweet Cal Byrnes* Sam Ross Tanner Stemkoski Ben Fewkes

RETURNERS 7 DE DE DT DT OLB MLB MLB OLB CB CB FS

6-0 5-8 5-6 5-11 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-0 5-10 5-9 6-4

155 205 160 190 165 230 205 306 237 210 240

Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr.

DEFENSE 4-4

Casey Sweet* Ben Fewkes Cal Byrnes Carl Hausserman Tony Vigoren Hunter Esary* Tanner Stemkoski Jacob Posey Victor Leatzow Jacob Herz Corbyn Byrnes

6-1 6-4 6-0 5-8 5-6 6-3 5-9 5-6 5-11 5-9 6-1

205 240 306 205 169 230 210 150 190 150 165

Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. So. Fr. Fr.

COACH Eric Boswell, fourth year Record at school

Kalama’s Isaac Truesdell (2) is back under center after a year on the sidelines behind Eli Bannister.

14-15

Chinooks’ junior core ready to take next step in 1A Trico

LAST SEASON Playoff games in bold

Woodland Ridgefield at La Center White Salmon at Stevenson Castle Rock at Toledo Seton Catholic at Ilwaco at Montesano

L W L W W W W W W L

40-0 39-8 49-20 17-13 21-20 34-0 33-6 56-12 26-20 41-14

SCHEDULE League games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at Woodland at Ridgefield King’s Way Bow Valley, B.C. at White Salmon Stevenson at Seton Catholic La Center at Castle Rock

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

JOHN MARKON / THE DAILY NEWS

QB FB RB WR WR TE LT LG C RG RT

OFFENSE 2-BACK

7 1 7 4

Rarely has a win of so little consequence been celebrated so enthusiastically.

Yet there was Hunter Esary and the rest of his Kalama teammates, whooping it up in the locker room after beating Ilwaco in a battle of 1A Trico doormats at the end of the 2012 season.

“It was like winning the Super Bowl,” said Esary, one of seven freshmen who started on that 1-8 team.

“Everybody was cheering and throwing water.

That just boosted us. ... That just puts a chip on your shoulder. ‘Next year, I love that feeling, I want to win.’ ” The Chinooks did just that a year later, reclaiming their place in the top half of the Trico pecking order with a turnaround that culminated with a six-game win streak to close out the regular season and a playoff trip.

But with several seniors from that team now gone, including the team’s top three skill players in QB Eli Bannister, receiver Jared Shagool and running back Colton Aschoff, there are plenty of holes to fill.

And it will be up to that group of one-time underclassmen that endured a long, painful introduction to varsity football two years ago to carry the baton.

“We’ve done our time,” said Esary, who totaled

nine sacks as an all-league defensive end last fall.

“We’ve had our downs. Trust me, that first year that was a down time, and it was not as fun. But last year was a lot of fun, and we know how to put it together.”

Quarterback Isaac Truesdell had to do his learning from the sidelines.

The junior signal caller started under center as an undersized freshman in 2012 but gave way to Bannister last fall when he returned for one last hurrah.

Much will rest on Truesdell’s now-6-foot frame as Kalama transitions to a more pass-oriented spread offense. But that’s been the plan all along for head coach Eric Boswell.

“Since freshman year Boz has been telling me that this is what he’s been planning on doing, so I’ve been just kind of getting myself ready,” Truesdell said.

He’ll have athletic weapons to work with on offense, albeit mostly unproven ones in juniors Jasper Pulido (RB), Carl Hausserman (FB), Victor Leatzow (WR) and Esary (TE).

But big Casey Sweet, Cal Byrnes, Ben Fewkes and Sam Ross should set the tone up front — all returning starters and veteran upperclassmen hardened by multiple years in the varsity trenches.

“Even though freshman year we were so bad, that actually helped us a lot because everyone is experienced,” Truesdell said.

“That year was tough. This year is going to be a lot better.”

Perhaps worthy of celebration.

— Matt Schubert / The Daily News

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Ilwaco Fishermen

Life Christian

Chief Leske

ILWACO FISHERMEN LEAGUE: PACIFIC 2B

WIAA ENROLLMENT: 211

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 2

Tacoma Baptist

THE SPOTLIGHT

Ilwaco is the beneficiary of several promising transfers, including the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Kaaden Gehrke of North Dakota and Micah Huss from West Virginia, who is handling the kicking for the Fishermen.

PROJECTED STARTERS * All-league selection last year; returning starters in bold

RETURNERS 2

OFFENSE 2-BACK

QB Jack Odneal RB Alec Bell RB Jack Kaino WR Brandon Sparks WR Riki Thompson TE Garret Petit OL Michael Aguyo OL Keegan Benenati C Matt MacDonald OL Kyle Carlson OL Christian Caswell

135 220 170 186 150 186 233 170 242 197 256

So. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So.

DEFENSE 5-2

Kyle Carlson Jonah Eaglebear Matt MacDonald Joe Lopez Garret Petit Jack Kaino Keegan Benenati Joshawah Eaglebear James Schenk Riki Thompson Jake VanGelder

5-10 5-9 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-8 5-9 5-9 5-8 5-10 6-0

197 207 242 155 186 170 170 140 163 150 155

Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

RETURNERS 1 DL DL DL DE DE LB LB DB DB DB DB

5-6 5-7 5-8 5-10 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-9 5-10 5-10 6-1

COACH Kevin McNulty, eighth year Record at school 11-55 Ilwaco’s Riki Thompson is one of two returning starters for a Fishermen team looking to take advantage of its 2B opportunity.

LAST SEASON Playoff games in bold

La Center at Seton Catholic at White Salmon Toledo Woodland at Stevenson at Elma at Castle Rock Kalama

L L L L L L L L L

Optimistic Fishermen hope to harness speed in new 2B home

49-0 34-16 48-14 20-0 48-0 46-14 56-20 38-8 46-20

SCHEDULE League games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 13 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 30

North Beach at Tacoma Baptist Life Christian Chief Leschi at Warrenton, Ore. at Ocosta Raymond at Rainier, Wash.

South Bend

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

0 1 4 1

Football is a game of passion, drive, creativity and who wants it more. It’s also a game of enrollments, league alignments and scheduling.

Whichever lens you use to gauge a team’s fortunes, there’s good reason to again say these onceunspeakable words: Ilwaco football is back.

“We’re better,” head coach Kevin McNulty said.

“We’re better than we’ve been, I know that without a doubt.”

The seeds of success were first sown two years ago in the midst of a one-win Southwest 1A Trico campaign.

“We’re playing against Woodland, and our 120-pound running back runs into a 230-pound linebacker, breaks his collarbone,” McNulty said.

“And that’s the game we ended up with seven freshmen out there.”

Many of those freshmen have grown up, hardened by yet another year of tough Trico battles in 2013.

And now a ray of hope peeks through the clouds on the coast, as a group that cut its teeth as 1A lightweights gets to play the role of heavyweights in the Pacific 2B. After enduring long bus rides and daunting disparities in enrollment, reclassification has thrown

the Fishermen a life line. A win early in the year could go a long way toward making sure they take advantage of it.

“There’s a little excitement in the air,” McNulty said. “You know, any time we have opponents that are within an hour travel, for us, that’s something new and exciting. ... But we’ve been trampled ... and so getting a win is paramount for our program.

Winning can become a habit, and so can losing.”

Signs of that winning habit are starting to appear — kids yelling out encouragement in practice, a weight room buzzing with activity during the offseason, quarterback Jack Odneal getting players together for impromptu summer throwing sessions.

McNulty is confident enough that he even reinstituted his preferred style of play, with an eye on breaking a long playoff drought.

“Out of necessity or injury ... we’ve played in a double-wing, which was never fun as a coach,” McNulty said. “We have some kids right now with some decent speed. Our personnel are suited to getting out of a phone booth and playing some football. Defensively, we can get four DBs on the field that have some decent speed.

“Being in a crossover game with playoff implications would be one of our goals,” McNulty added. “It’s been a while since we’ve said anything like that at Ilwaco, and I don’t think it’s boasting.

“Right now, we’re looking at that.”

— R.D. Hight / The Daily News

38 16765501.indd 38

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8/28/2014 12:52:23 PM

Clatskanie Tigers

Rainier Columbians

Warrenton, Ore. Warriors

RAINIER COLUMBIANS LEAGUE: LEWIS & CLARK

OSAA ENROLLMENT: 262

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 18 (1 TITLE)

Knappa Loggers 2A NW

THE SPOTLIGHT

Scapoose Indians 4A Cowapa

Vernonia, Ore. Loggers 2A NW

The Columbians will be logging serious miles on the odometer this fall. Due to a quirk in scheduling, they will hit the road for six of eight games, traveling a total of 741 miles. Hybrid bus anyone?

PROJECTED STARTERS * All-league selection last year; returning starters in bold

RETURNERS 2

Portland Christian Royals

OFFENSE DIESEL

QB Casey Tripp RB Jacob Helton WR Trey Emmons WR Gabe Kosydar Slot Gunnar Brooks Slot Justice Larson C Cody Nelson G Hunter Foultner G Jeff Tripp T Brandon Heacock* T Will Samayoa

155 180 165 170 135 135 220 190 240 280 220

Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. So. Fr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

Corbett

DEFENSE 4-4

DE Nick Griffith DE Will Samayoa DT Brandon Heacock DT Cody Nelson OLB Jacob Helton ILB Justice Larson ILB Jeff Tripp* OLB Trey Emmons CB Casey Tripp CB Gabe Kosydar S Gunnar Brooks

6-5 5-11 5-11 5-8 5-11 5-7 6-1 6-4 5-7 5-11 5-7

200 220 280 220 180 135 240 165 155 170 135

Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So.

BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

RETURNERS 3

5-7 5-11 6-4 5-10 5-7 5-7 5-8 5-9 6-1 5-11 5-11

Portland Adventist Cougars

COACH Mike King, third year Record at school:

15-8 Rainier’s Jeff Tripp is back and ready to fuel the Columbians’ Diesel attack for another Lewis and Clark League title defense.

LAST SEASON Playoff games in bold

Kennedy Blanchet Catholic at Scappoose Portland Christian Washougal at Valley Catholic Clatskanie Corbett at Warrenton Horizon Christian Cascade Christian

W L L L W W W W W W L

34-6 15-12 55-32 26-22 32-0 40-20 22-0 46-0 50-13 42-6 68-12

Columbians look to erase bad playoff memory with new cast

SCHEDULE League games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 11 Oct. 17 Oct. 24

at Blanchet at Santiam Christian at Seaside Stevenson at Scio at Cascade Christian Warrenton at Clatskanie

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

7 8 11 11

Most seasons end poorly. Only one team, after all, can win state.

But few end as disastrously as Rainier’s did in 2013.

After cruising to a perfect conference record and their eighth-straight Lewis and Clark League title, the Columbians were demolished by Cascade Christian 68-12 during the second round of the Oregon 3A state tournament.

Despite an inexperienced roster — Rainier graduated its starting quarterback, running back and nine defenders from last season — the Columbians plan on ending the 2014 season in much different fashion.

Last year’s defeat has never been far from their minds.

“I haven’t really said much about it, because the guys who were there, I don’t think I need to say anything,” Coach Mike King said. “Everyone still knows. It stings.”

If the Columbians do improve on last season’s finish, offensive lineman/linebacker Jeff Tripp will be a large reason why. He’s one of just three returning seniors on the roster and a two-time all-league selection.

“It stayed on my mind. I don’t know about those

guys, but it may have meant more to me,” Tripp said of the playoff loss. “Because I don’t like getting beat that bad. It’s not fun.”

While the Columbians try to bounce back from a blowout, they will rely heavily on a running back recovering from a blown-out knee.

During the third game of last season, Jacob Helton hyperextended his left knee and missed the rest of the year. That included the loss at state, which Helton observed from the sideline on crutches.

“Not my favorite one to watch,” said Helton, who also plays linebacker. “Now we have to come back and make up for it.”

He’s back healthy this season as a junior and is in line to replace Nick Hanks as the starter in Rainier’s run-heavy Diesel offense. Tripp described it this way: “Power run. Hit anybody who’s in front of you. The last guy goes through and scores touchdowns.” More often than not, Helton figures to be that guy.

He’ll be taking handoffs from junior quarterback Casey Tripp, Jeff’s brother and another first-year starter.

All those new pieces in the Rainier attack, along with an entirely new defense outside of Helton and the older Tripp, have some thinking this could be the season Rainier finally misses the postseason.

Casey Tripp disagrees.

“They think what they want,” he said. “We know how good we are.”

— Kevin Dowd / For The Daily News

40 16765501.indd 40

8/28/2014 12:52:24 PM

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8/28/2014 12:52:25 PM

Clatskanie Tigers

ans

Loggers 2A NW

Warrenton, Ore. Warriors

CLATSKANIE TIGERS LEAGUE: LEWIS & CLARK 3A

OSAA ENROLLMENT: 205

THE SPOTLIGHT

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 16

Indians 4A Cowap

Loggers 2A NW

The three-team Lewis and Clark 3A kept both of its playoff spots; whoever can’t get it done in those two league games is in for a very unpleasant end to the season when everyone gets to go on but you.

PROJECTED STARTERS * All-league selection last year; returning starters in bold

RETURNERS 6

Nick Donaldson* Micah McLeod Codi Blodgett Colten Puzey* Trevor Berg Wyatt McKay Damian Strowger Mica Karber Tanner Dykes Lane Bodenhamer Trey Bodenhamer

RETURNERS 6 DL DL DL LB LB LB LB LB CB CB S

5-10 5-7 5-11 5-11 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-10 5-10 5-11 5-11

193 185 175 165 175 205 215 225 195 205 200

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

Portland Christian Royals

Portland Adventist Cougars

Corbett

DEFENSE 3-5

Ryan Froke Lane Bodenhamer Tanner Dykes Mica Karber Trey Bodenhamer Colten Puzey Nick Donaldson Wyatt McKay Codi Blodgett Micah McLeod Trevor Berg

6-2 5-11 5-10 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-0 5-11 5-7 6-2

320 205 195 225 200 165 193 205 175 185 175

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

QB FB Wing Slot WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

OFFENSE WING-T

COACH Tim Warren, fourth year Record at school

17-14 Clatskanie’s Nick Donaldson is a key figure in the senior core looking to break through with an elusive Lewis and Clark League title.

LAST SEASON Playoff games in bold

at Tillamook at Horizon Christian Cascade Knappa Brookings-Harbor at Rainier at Warrenton Corbett Valley Catholic at Vale

W W L W W L L W W L

30-22 18-16 40-6 44-22 53-22 22-0 42-21 54-22 48-25 46-0

Tigers ready to claim league mantle with experienced group

SCHEDULE League games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

Horizon Christian at Harrisburg Illinois Valley at Knappa Nestucca at North Eugene Rainier Warrenton

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

7 4 6 6

Never in Clatskanie football have so many worked so long off the field for the sake of so few minutes that matter on it.

Tim Warren has a group of seniors like he and his fellow coaches dream about: strong, smart, hardworking, spread throughout the field. If fights are won in the gym, this group has earned a few knockouts.

“Thirteen seniors, and all of them have had quality minutes at the varsity level for quite some time,” Warren said. “Super athletic, super fast, tireless weight-room workers. The senior class has kind of set a standard. They lift in the summer and year-round continuously. They’re a physical group.”

Warren’s quarterback, Nick Donaldson, is in his third year of starting, and Mica Karber and Ryan Froke continue to be leaders. As for backs Codi Blodgett, Colten Puzey and Trevor Berg, Warren is relieved he won’t have to defend them.

In early practices, this team looks good.

For this determined group, however, the compression of hours of work into minutes of play is on the extreme side.

All that effort, all those hours spent running, lifting, drilling, and all the practices — to be worth it, the

reward has to come in two late October nights.

That’s when Clatskanie plays its lone two league games on the schedule: vs. Rainier on Oct. 24 and vs. Warrenton on Oct. 31.

Reclassification has reduced the Lewis and Clark 3A league to three teams: Clatskanie, Rainier and Warrenton. For the last three years, Rainier and Clatskanie have finished 1-2 in league, so beating the other two schools on the list at this private party would be a worthy feat. But good games or not, at about 9:30 p.m. on Halloween, this league campaign is going to end, and it will all have been just 96 minutes long.

“From a coaching standpoint, it’s a little frustrating,” Warren said. “But that’s the cards we’re dealt. It is what it is. The kids just want to play.

They’re fine.”

But are they excited about playing seven nonleague games?

“They’re excited about the jamboree we’re playing. The senior group is very, very football-savvy.

It’s their favorite sport. They enjoy being around the game, asking questions around it.”

Won’t there be a temptation to take it easy along the way?

“This group just wants to play. It’s just a faceless opponent that they want to play, seriously,” Warren said.

“It’s just a color on the other side of the field. I’m excited about where we’re going.”

— R.D. Hight / The Daily News

42 16765501.indd 42

8/28/2014 12:52:29 PM

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8/28/2014 12:52:31 PM

WINLOCK CARDINALS LEAGUE: CENTRAL 2B

WIAA ENROLLMENT: 148

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 10 (1 TITLE)

THE SPOTLIGHT

New line coach Eric Low is making his second stint with the Cardinals. He’s also coached at Centralia and Toledo.

PROJECTED STARTERS * All-league selection last year; returning starters in bold

RETURNERS 2

OFFENSE SPREAD

QB Zach Weinert 6-0 RB Corey Sturza 5-10 RB Sean Berry 5-10 RB Derek Chilcoate 5-8 WR Evan Mitchell 6-0 WR Taelon Demar Palmer 5-10 OL Dawson Hall 6-2 OL Taylor Robinette 5-8 OL Wyatt Dean 6-0 OL Lucas Cramer 6-4 OL Adam Hylton 5-8 RETURNERS 1 DL DL DL LB LB LB LB LB DB DB DB

150 155 165 145 170 155 185 210 170 310 155

So. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. So.

DEFENSE 5-3

Dawson Hall 6-2 Taylor Robinette 5-8 Lucas Cramer 6-4 Nolan Patching 5-8 Sean Berry 5-10 Evan Mitchell 6-0 Corey Sturza 5-10 Wyatt Dean 6-0 Nick Patching 5-8 Derek Chilcoate 5-8 Taelon Demar Palmer 5-10

185 210 310 150 165 170 155 170 140 145 155

Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Fr. So. Jr.

COACH JOHN MARKON / THE DAILY NEWS

Mike Voie, 16th year (in two stints) Record at school 58-86

LAST SEASON Playoff games in bold

Morton/White Pass at Wahkiakum Raymond at Mossyrock Toutle Lake Adna at Pe Ell Onalaska at Napavine Rainier, Wash.

L L L L L L L L L L

0-68 0-41 0-48 26-34 0-44 12-22 0-29 0-49 0-56 14-50

Winlock’s Evan Mitchell (31) is one of the many speedy Cardinals looking to turn things around in southern Lewis County.

Cardinals turn to new offense in attempt to end losing streak

SCHEDULE League games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 30

at Pe Ell-Willapa Valley Morton/White Pass Toledo at Mossyrock Toutle Lake at Adna at Wahkiakum Onalaska Napavine

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

0 0 0 4

“We really want to change this year,” senior Evan Mitchell said. “This year we’ve put more stress on just trying our hardest and not worrying about mistakes. As long as we go hard, things will hopefully go the way we want them.”

Change is in the air for the Winlock Cardinals.

Both Voie and Mitchell said speed is going to be Whether it’s trying to break in almost completely key for the young team. new offensive and defensive lines or introducing “There aren’t very many kids that aren’t athletic a new offensive scheme, the Cardinals are mixing on our team. We have a lot of speed,” Mitchell said. things up.

That speed led to the Cardinals changing to a Winlock hopes the biggest change comes to spread option look this season. its win-loss record. Heading into this season, the “It’s going to help us a lot,” Mitchell said. “Last Cardinals are the not-so-proud owners of a state- year, we were bunched up a lot. This year it’s going worst 29-game losing streak. be harder for them to get 10 men in the box like they Even with the streak, third-year head coach did last year.”

Mike Voie remains optimistic.

Even though talk will be about the team’s losing “This year we’ll be a lot better,” Voie said. “We’ve past, the players are focusing on the future. Mitchgot some speed, some size. The kids are upbeat. ell, one of the few veterans, said establishing a new We’ll win some games this year.” tradition is one of the team’s goals.

Voie and his staff are trying to build a focused, “We’re a really young team, and we want to see positive culture around practice. The hope is that those younger players grow,” he said. “Winlock has positivity in practice leads to results on the field. a history of being a good football program, just not “We don’t berate them; we keep coaching them for the past few years. We want to try and get that up,” Voie said. “We don’t dwell on the losses. There’s tradition back. Once we’ve learned all our strengths a real positive vibe. This will really be the year.” and put them together, we should be OK.” That positivity isn’t lost on the players.

— Ryan Horlen / The Daily News

44 16765501.indd 44

8/28/2014 12:52:32 PM

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8/28/2014 12:52:33 PM

Morton/White Pass Timberwolves

Wahkiakum Mules

utle Lake Ducks

Winlock Cardinals

WAHKIAKUM MULES LEAGUE: CENTRAL 2B

WIAA ENROLLMENT: 109

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 9

THE SPOTLIGHT

Two-thirds of the grandstands at Wahkiakum’s football stadium are closed after rot was discovered one week before the start of the season. The upper level and the right side of the stands will be open.

PROJECTED STARTERS Winlock/Toledo

Warhawks orinUnited * All-league selection last year; returning starters bold

RETURNERS 3 Gunnar Blix* Hank Ferguson Brandon Budd* Joey Moore Zach Brown Ryan Quigley Kurtis Bergseng Brock Cothren Kyle Stump Trystan Mendez Tanner Bergseng

RETURNERS 3

6-0 5-7 6-0 5-7 6-2 6-2 6-4 5-9 5-10 5-8 6-0

215 160 170 140 175 165 165 195 195 190 190

Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Sr. Sr.

DEFENSE 4-4

DE Gunnar Blix* DT Kurtis Bergseng DT Tanner Bergseng DE Brock Cothren OLB Michael Zurick ILB Nathan Dahl ILB Trystan Mendez OLB Hank Ferguson CB Brandon Budd CB Ryan Quigley FS Zach Brown

6-0 6-4 6-0 5-9 6-1 5-9 5-8 5-7 6-0 6-2 6-2

215 165 190 195 170 160 190 160 170 165 175

Jr. So. Sr. So. So. Fr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Fr. BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

QB FB HB W W WR T G C G T

OFFENSE WING-T

COACH Eric Hansen, 13th year Record at school

85-39

LAST SEASON Wahkiakum’s Brandon Budd makes the switch to the backfield as the Mules look to make due with a depleted roster.

Playoff games in bold

at Mossyrock Winlock at Adna Pe Ell at Onalaska Napavine at Morton/White Pass Toutle Lake Naselle at Raymond

W W W W W L L W W L

41-14 41-0 27-12 36-12 36-28 34-20 51-0 38-7 60-14 20-14

Thin Mules can still compete for Central 2B league title

SCHEDULE League games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 30

Toutle Lake at Napavine Adna Pe Ell/Willapa Valley at Morton/White Pass at Onalaska Winlock Mossyrock at Toledo

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

7 8 4 5

When Wahkiakum coach Eric Hansen opened practice moments after midnight Aug. 20, he had 23 players.

A week later, he had 16 Mules.

“Injuries and academic ineligibility has taken its toll,” Hansen said. “The two ineligible kids will miss the month of September. One of them was slated to start on offense, the other was going to be a defensive starter.”

Practices have been difficult, at best.

“It’s the first time in my tenure we’ve had this low of turnout and numbers,” Hansen said. “You can’t do a lot of 11-on-11 stuff so you do half lines.

The kids look around and see we don’t have a lot of guys, and they know they’re the next one in.”

Hansen said four of his five seniors will be twoway starters, along with three juniors and four sophomores.

“We have 11 who are football players and a couple others who are right there,” he said. “I’d like to have a couple more.”

There is hope on the horizon.

“I’m salivating for the future,” Hansen said. “I have more fifth and sixth graders playing youth football (24) than on the high school team.”

One bright spot for the Mules is the return of all-league quarterback/defensive lineman Gunnar Blix, who passed for more than 1,100 yards as a sophomore. Blix also led the Mules to the passing league title earlier this summer at Camp Rilea in Warrenton, Ore. “We still have the best quarterback in the league,” Hansen said. “Hopefully we can keep him upright with what we’ve got.”

Blix doesn’t feel any added pressure.

“It’s going to be rough, but we have the guys we need,” Blix said. “We don’t have a lot of expectations. We’ll come out and play our hearts out every week.”

Hansen noted practices will be limited and technique will be stressed.

“We’re fine-tuning what we do and not putting in a lot of new stuff,” he said. “It all comes down to blocking and tackling, and if you can do both well it doesn’t matter if you’re 140 pounds or 240. We have desire and heart, and we have to stay healthy to stay on the field.”

Blix said the Mules are realistic about their chances to win the Central 2B League.

“Our goal is to win it but with the numbers it’s going to be hard,” he said. “We’re looking at third or fourth place, enough for us to get into the playoffs.”

— Rick McCorkle / The Daily News

46 16765501.indd 46

8/28/2014 12:52:34 PM

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8/28/2014 12:52:36 PM

Pe Ell Trojans

Wahkiakum Mules

Toutle Lake Ducks

Morton/White Pass Timberwolves

Winlock Cardinals

TOUTLE LAKE DUCKS LEAGUE: CENTRAL 2B

WIAA ENROLLMENT: 163

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 12

THE SPOTLIGHT

The last time a Toutle Lake team was not by coached

by Scott Grabenhorst Jimmy Carter was president, gas cost 82 cents per gallon, “Grease” topped the box office while the sound track was No. 1 on the charts and the Dallas Cowboys were Super Bowl champions.

Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

PROJECTED STARTERS * All-league selection last year; returning starters in bold

RETURNERS 3

OFFENSE I-FORM

QB FB RB WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

5-9 5-10 5-7 5-8 5-10 6-3 5-11 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-1

Dillon Brown Cody Anderson Dalton Phillipps John Kruse Austin Ferrier Jacob Buck Zane Willard Payton Jones Mikael Lukas Quintin Gardner Nic Teach

160 170 140 140 130 180 260 230 230 240 210

Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr.

RETURNERS 3

DEFENSE 4-4

DL DL DL OLB MLB MLB OLB DB DB DB DB

6-0 6-1 6-0 5-7 5-10 5-10 5-9 5-10 5-11 5-8 5-8

Payton Jones Nic Teach Mikael Lukas Dalton Phillipps Cody Anderson Zak Lukas Dillon Brown Austin Ferrier Radley Risner John Kruse Colton Wherry

230 210 230 140 170 170 160 130 160 140 135

Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr.

COACH Art Walsh, first year Record at school

JOHN MARKON/THE DAILY NEWS

0-0

LAST SEASON Playoff games in bold

North Beach at Onalaska Mossyrock Napavine at Winlock Morton/White Pass Adna at Wahkiakum at Pe Ell at North Beach at La Conner

L L W L W L L L W W L

34-13 43-12 38-20 27-0 44-0 26-0 40-7 38-7 21-6 20-14 51-0

Toutle Lake’s Dalton Phillips will be a featured player in the Ducks’ new two-back attack.

New era begins as Art Walsh takes reins from Grabenhorst

SCHEDULE League games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 30

at Wahkiakum Adna at Mossyrock Morton / White Pass at Winlock Pe Ell/Willapa Valley at Napavine Toledo at Onalaska

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

4 3 5 4

For the first time in 35 years, Scott Grabenhorst will not be the coach of the Toutle Lake Ducks.

Art Walsh is the man tasked with replacing the Hall of Fame leader, and already he’s putting his mark on the program.

“Being here with him definitely makes it easier.

I think it’d be a lot harder if I was just coming in after him,” said Walsh, a former Castle Rock head coach and R.A. Long defensive assistant. “The late timing (of the Grabenhorst’s announcement) sort of threw me off a bit, though.”

While the defense will remain the same — Walsh handled that side of the ball last season — the offense is going to change.

“Coach Grabenhorst was more a Wing-T guy while I’m more of an I-formation guy, with multiple sets,” he said. “I’m also a little more open to the pass.”

Those changes could be easier to implement

because of Toutle’s youth. Walsh said the team has only five seniors and a just handful of guys with starting experience.

Even with the inexperience, Walsh says the team has potential.

“We’ve got some speed, and we’ve got some big guys up front,” he said. “We don’t have any superstars, but our talent is spread out really well.

Our goal is to be competitive, and I think we can do that.”

Outside linebacker and running back Dalton Phillipps has noticed a shift in both the tone of the team and practice under Walsh.

“A lot has changed,” he said. “Practices are a lot more intense and emotional. It brings us together.

The spirit of the team is better.”

Dillon Brown, junior quarterback and outside linebacker, said the coaches are pushing the team a little harder this year.

“They want us to do everything right,” he said.

“If we mess up a play, we run it again.

“We keep doing it until we get it right.”

Only time will tell if Walsh and his staff can teach these young Ducks to fly together.

— Ryan Horlen / The Daily News

48 16765501.indd 48

8/28/2014 12:52:38 PM

STATEWIDE OUTLOOK

—BY MATT SCHUBERT / THE DAILY NEWS

Who will win?

OUR FAVORITES AND DARK HORSES FOR EACH CLASSIFICATION

CLASS4A 4A CLASS

CLASS3A 3A CLASS

CLASS2A 2A CLASS

CLASS year’s 2A 1A quarterfinals.

CLASS2B 2B CLASS

Favorite: Bothell

Favorite: Bellevue

Favorite: Lynden

Favorite: Freeman

State quarterfinalists a year ago, the Cougars return two-way star Sam McPherson (RB/ DB) to slot next to Calbound QB Ross Bowers.

The Wolverines are so good they’re boring — like a Harlem Globetrotters game without the sideshows. Nevertheless, a seventh straight state title appears inevitable.

Much like their 3A counterparts from Bellevue, the Lions’ domination of the 2A ranks has taken on a certain “Groundhog Day” quality.

The Scotties return nearly everyone — including star RB Markus Goldbach — from last year’s state championship squad. Got to beat the man to be the man.

Favorite: Lind-Ritzville/Sprague

Dark horse: Shadle Park

Any team with a receiving threat like Cardell Jones always has a chance.

Just ask the MM Monarchs, who are still having nightmares from the torching he gave them (140 yards, 5 TDs) in last

Dark horse: Puyallup

JOHN MARKON/THE DAILY NEWS

The Vikings aren’t going to show up on too many preseason top 10s, but the cannon arm of Brendan Illies (2,873 yards, 36 TDs) is to be feared.

Just the guys to break the monotony— recordbreaking QB Brett Rypien and the air raid Highlanders. Maybe fun can finally win in 3A.

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Dark horse: Prosser

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Dark horse: Mt. Baker It’s never a bad idea to go with a team from the Northwest Conference, especially one that has lost to the eventual state champion each of the past two seasons.

The two-time defending 2B champions are tough to pick against, even if several of last year’s stars were in a cap and gown last spring.

Dark horse: Toledo Don’t let last year’s 36 trudge through the Trico fool you. These Indians are sneaky good and ready to throw their weight around as the big boys of 2B.

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The Red Devils have holes to fill but plenty remains from last year’s eight-man champions.

Without any clear-cut alternative, we’ll go with a repeat.

Dark horse: AlmiraCoulee-Hartline A general rule of thumb when analyzing eightman football: When in doubt, go with a team that has multiple hyphens.

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NASELLE COMETS LEAGUE: INDEPENDENT 1B

WIAA ENROLLMENT: 73

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 9

THE SPOTLIGHT

The four eight-man games that will determine Naselle’s playoff fate are against other independent schools: Oakville, Mary M. Knight, Twin Valley and Taholah. The top four teams among Naselle, those opponents and State Deaf will then face off to determine who claims two playoff spots.

PROJECTED STARTERS * All-league selection last year; returning starters in bold

RETURNERS 5

OFFENSE I-FORM

QB: Tony Lopez FB: Justin Martinez RB: Franco Smith WR: Conner See WR: Gino Juarez TE: Cole Bergeson C: Skyler York G: Cody Kirkman* G: Eli Fisher T: Ramzi Estes T: Allyn Bauer

185 170 185 150 175 210 225 270 175 225 330

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

DEFENSE 5-3

DE: Franco Smith DE: Kyler Wulf DT: Ramzi Estes DT: Allyn Bauer OLB: Tony Lopez MLB: Skyler York* OLB: Justin Martinez CB: Conner See CB: Gino Juarez DB: Brian Smith FS: Hayden Gudmundson

6-1 6-3 6-1 6-1 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-0 5-11

185 185 225 330 185 225 170 150 175 160 160

Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

RETURNERS 4

5-11 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-0 5-7 6-1 6-1

COACH Jeff Eaton, eighth year Record at school

52-22

LAST SEASON Playoff games in bold

at Rainier, Wash.

Neah-Kah-Nie at North Beach at Willapa Valley Onalaska Raymond Ocosta at South Bend at Wahkiakum

L W L L L L W W L

Naselle’s Cody Kirkman, left, and Skyler York, right, could make up the majority of the Comets’ beefy line with the move to 8-man.

46-7 28-6 28-0 33-15 42-26 55-16 36-0 41-16 60-14

Comets prepare for uncharted territory: Eight-man football

SCHEDULE Playoff-deciding games in bold

Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 4 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at Chief Leschi at Neah-Kah-Nie, Ore. Jewell, Ore. Oakville at Portland Lutheran Mary M. Knight Twin Valley at Amity, Ore. Taholah

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

THE TREND Wins during the past four seasons

’13 ’12 ’11 ’10

3 6 10 7

Don’t be surprised if you see a few “You must be this tall” signs outside Naselle football games this year. It’s going to be a roller-coaster ride.

After years of making a relatively happy home in the Pacific 2B League, the Comets set off on a new journey this fall as a 1B independent and eight-man football program — a shift that figures to provide a few ups and downs.

“I understand why we dropped down — numbers, and some of the other sports weren’t competing. And we had a down year last year,” Naselle coach Jeff Eaton said. “But I would very much rather be in the Pacific League, where we can travel a half-hour or 45 minutes, rather than an hour and a half/two hours to the games we’re going to now.”

Some of Naselle’s players needed to be reassured last spring that eight-man football is still football, Eaton said, but the seats on this ride are loaded with athletes.

The problem will be less putting a good lineup together and more finding playing time for those who need it to develop — none of Naselle’s eight-

man opponents has a JV team.

After years of clear No. 1 quarterbacks, Naselle has a QB competition, with Justin Martinez, Tony Lopez and Hayden Gudmundson vying for playing time under center. None has much experience as a quarterback, but all have good athletic ability and will see playing time somewhere.

“When we drop down to eight, we’ll really have some competition and then depth built up,” Eaton said.

Naselle has a front five that combine at more than 1,000 pounds, but in eight-man football, big blockers aren’t necessarily as valuable as in higher divisions. Fast defenders are needed to cover more of the field. There’s little double-teaming in normal situations, so the ability to make good unassisted tackles in the open field is essential.

“The only thing that worries us is somebody who’s got that extreme speed,” Eaton said. “We’re going to do a lot more tackling drills, make sure we’re better tacklers than we’ve been last year, for sure.”

The Comets will have some time to figure it out — the first two games on the schedule are 11-man football. Then, it’s time to strap in for the ride.

“We’ve been looking stuff up,” Eaton said. “It’s going to be a challenge.”

— R.D. Hight / The Daily News

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8/28/2014 12:52:44 PM

TOP 5 STATE RECRUITS

TOP FIVE WASHINGTON CLASS OF 2015 RECRUITS, RANKED BY ESPN.COM

1. AUSTIN JOYNER Rating: Four stars Details: RB, Marysville-Pilchuck, 5-10, 186 pounds College: Committed to Washington State Breakdown: A serious burner with 4.48-second 40 speed, the future Cougar ran for 1,511 yards and 21 touchdowns and caught seven balls for 140 yards as a junior. This despite missing two games and often playing one half of blowouts.

2. ROSS BOWERS Rating: Four stars Details: QB, Bothell, 6-1, 175 pounds College: Committed to Cal Breakdown: The Cougars’ spread attack is in good hands with Bowers — an undersized, but deadly accurate passer with agility, touch and creativity in the pocket. It seems only fitting he’s headed to Aaron Rodgers’ alma mater.

BILL WAGNER / THE DAILY NEWS

3. CHICO McCLATCHER Rating: Four stars Details: RB, Federal Way, 5-8, 166 pounds College: Offers from WSU, UW, UCLA, OSU and Boise State, among others.

Breakdown: A junior year that included 2,379 allpurpose yards and 25 touchdowns raised eyebrows across the region for the small scatback. Expect more of the same as McClatcher auditions for his many suitors.

4. BRETT RYPIEN Rating: Four stars Details: QB, Shadle Park, 6-2, 185 pounds College: Committed to Boise State Breakdown: The nephew of Super Bowl-winning QB Mark Rypien shattered his own state record for single-game passing with 613 yards in a 63-42 win over Mt. Spokane last fall. He’s got one more season left to break it again.

5. TREY ADAMS Rating: Four stars Details: OT, Wenatchee, 6-7, 275 pounds College: Committed to Washington Breakdown: Ranked 32nd in the nation among offensive tackles by ESPN.com, Adams committed to the Huskies before he even played a down of his junior season. With that frame and footwork, it’s easy to understand why.

JENNIFER BUCHANAN / WWW.HERALDNET.COM

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16765501.indd 51

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8/28/2014 12:52:44 PM

ALL-AREA TEAMS

LEAGUE ORDER BASED UPON COACHES POLLS CO

OL Jeff Tripp

QB Gunnar Blix JUNIOR, WAHKIAKUM Blix wasted no time in picking up the mantle from his all-state older brother, Lars, throwing for over 1,000 yards in his sophomore campaign. The twoway terror will be even more central to Wahkiakum’s bid to stay near the top of the new-look Central 2B League this time around.

SENIOR, RAINIER Tripp is the latest in a long line of Columbian bruisers, the gears that make that Diesel purr. Yet again, Rainier must replace its entire backfield.

Yet again, the big boys up front will ensure a smooth transition.

RB Eli Whitmire

SENIOR, MARK MORRIS The key to the Monarchs’ success is in the trenches, the blood and snot that make way for Gatorade baths come November. Enriquez provides that pop when healthy — something Mark Morris must wait on as the all-GSHL 2A lineman nurses a knee injury.

OL Cole Enriquez

SENIOR, WOODLAND Through September of last season, Whitmire was averaging 23.7 yards per offensive touch. His final numbers (977 yards on 70 carries, 381 yards on 16 catches) would have been even more impressive had he not been pulled at halftime of Woodland’s many routs.

OL Curtis King SENIOR, MARK MORRIS King came up through the Monarch system, Enriquez transferred in from Castle Rock prior to last season. Both were named second-team all-Greater St. Helens 2A League, and both will anchor MM’s standard smashmouth attack.

RB Taylor Hicks JUNIOR, TOLEDO The Indians have high hopes of pushing deep into their first season back at 2B, and their speedy wing back is a major reason why. Hicks ran for more than 800 yards in 2013, getting stronger as the year progressed. The trend should continue in 2014.

OL Matt Fugleberg

Mason WR-RB Meeker SENIOR, KELSO For all the attention departed burner Somit Chhim received last year for the Hilanders, it was Meeker who quietly made opponents pay with 36 receptions for 374 yards. Now the 5-10, 175-pound senior takes center stage as the No. 1 option in the Kelso backfield.

Trevor WR Huddleston SENIOR, WOODLAND The Beavers are adjusting to life without Hunter Huddleston, the multiyear starter who was named TDN’s first-team quarterback last fall. Building around little brother Trevor, who racked up 427 yards on 28 receptions, is a good place to start.

SECOND-TEAM QB Zak Schueller, Sr., Kelso RB Jasper Pulido, Jr., Kalama RB Jordan Frost, Jr., Mark Morris

TE Hunter Esary JUNIOR, KALAMA The Chinooks want to air it out this season with pocket passer Isaac Truesdell under center, and Esary should be one of his primary weapons.

The hulking junior tight end caught 17 balls for 264 yards and two TDs a year ago. Expect those totals to rise this season.

RB-WR Brandon Budd, Sr., Wahkiakum WR Codi Blodgett, Sr., Clatskanie TE Shawn Godinho, Sr., Castle Rock OL Caldwell Byrnes, Sr., Kalama

OL OL OL OL

SENIOR, R.A. LONG The stars are gone — Jacob Yordy and his nearly 2,000 rushing yards, Ryan Peerboom and his 1,000-plus passing yards. The Lumberjacks are due a step back, but veterans like Fugelberg are unlikely to let it be too far of a drop.

OL Cody Kirkman JUNIOR, NASELLE Plenty of logistical choices await the Comets in the 1B 8-man game, from offensive schemes to blitz packages to formations — three linemen or five?

Thankfully for head coach Jeff Eaton, he can plug in the versatile Kirkman anywhere he likes.

Brandon Heacock, Sr., Rainier Trystan Mendez, Sr., Wahkiakum Chase Barber, Jr., Woodland Brandon Ruhland, Sr., Kelso

52 16765501.indd 52

8/28/2014 12:52:50 PM

ACHES POLLS CONDUCTED BY DAILY NEWS SPORTS STAFF

— BY MATT PENTZ / THE DAILY NEWS

LB Colten Puzey

DE Jake Murphy

SENIOR, CLATSKANIE Puzey is the leading returning receiver in the area, having hauled in 33 passes for 600 yards last fall. The other side of the ball, though, is where the Tigers’ hunt for their first league title in more than a decade will be decided.

SENIOR, KELSO With the second-team all-leaguer setting the edge on the outside and senior defensive tackle Brandon Ruhland plugging holes in the middle, Kelso’s front four should demand double teams this fall. A good place to start for the Hilanders’ hard-hitting D.

DB Micah McLeod

DL Talib Meeks

SENIOR, CLATSKANIE McLeod finished in a tie for second in the area with four picks last season, finishing behind only Rainier’s Jordan Brittain, who hauled in six. Nothing like looking up at a rival to get those competitive juices flowing.

JUNIOR, CASTLE ROCK Rock returns more than half its starters on both sides of the ball from a team that just missed the postseason last season. The most important may be their big man in the middle, a returning second-team all-league selection.

DB Payton Miller

DL Casey Sweet

SENIOR, R.A. LONG The pass-heavy Greater St. Helens 2A League got even more so with the addition of Woodland. Any hopes of RAL finishing back toward the top of the standings begins with downing those aerial threats. Miller should lend a capable hand as a shutdown corner.

JUNIOR, KALAMA One half of the Chinooks’ dominant sophomore duo on the defensive line a year ago, Sweet now gets to play the role of singular star as Hunter Esary moves to linebacker in Kalama’s 4-4 defense.

DB Mason Gaul

LB Mica Karber SENIOR, CLATSKANIE No one is more vital to Clatskanie’s swarming 3-5 defense than the senior beginning his fourth season at the heart of it. And no one is more desperate to end the Tigers’ run of futility against their Hootenanny rivals up the road.

LB Skyler York SENIOR, NASELLE York was last seen helping to break in Naselle’s many inexperienced underclassmen, both on the offensive line and in the linebacking corps. This year, he and the rest of the Comets will get to see those growing pains pay off.

SENIOR, TOLEDO Gaul is more than doing his part to follow in the footsteps of older brother Mack, who’s currently pitching at UW. Mason is a two-way standout who mixes breakaway runs with anchoring Toledo’s defensive backfield.

LB Troy Flanagan

LB Daniel Etchle

SENIOR, WOODLAND The Beaver offense draws all the attention with its spread, point-a-minute style. The defense, though, was effective in its own right last season, holding opponents to single-digit scoring in more than half its games. Flanagan served as the ring-leader, the buzzing force in the middle of the field.

SENIOR, TOLEDO The Indian defense capitulated down the stretch last season, surrendering an average of 40.25 points per contest during the four-game losing streak that ended its year. Etchle and company had plenty of motivation for offseason workouts.

SECOND-TEAM DL Ryan Froke, Sr., Kalama DL Dalton Yoder, So., Toledo LB Cody Shepherd, Sr., Woodland

16765501.indd 53

LB LB LB LB

Lamar Swagerty, Sr., R.A. Long Jacob Helton, Jr., Rainier Cody Anderson, Jr., Toutle Lake Tony Lopez, Sr., Naselle

DB DB DB DB

Richard Clark, Sr., R.A. Long Nick Donaldson, Sr., Clatskanie Giovanny Dominguez, Jr., Winlock Franco Smith, Sr., Naselle

8/28/2014 12:52:54 PM

2014 TEAM SCHEDULES Camas Papermakers

GREATER ST. HELENS 4A

Union Titans

Battle Ground Tigers

Camas Papermakers

Union Titans

Battle Ground Tigers

Battle Ground Tigers

Evergreen Plainsmen

Evergreen Plainsmen

Heritage Timberwolves

Evergreen Plainsmen

Heritage Timberwolves

Mt. View Thunder

GREATER ST. HELENS 3A

Skyview Storm

Columbia River Chieftians

Battle Ground Tigers Sept. 5: Kent-Meridian* Sept. 12: at Spanaway Lake* Sept. 20: Skyview Sept. 26: at Mountain View (8 p.m.)

Oct. 3: at Heritage (5 p.m.)

Oct. 9: Camas Oct. 17: Evergreen Oct. 24: at Union (5 p.m.)

Oct. 31: at Prairie* Union Titans

Battle Ground Tigers

Evergreen Plainsmen

Heritage Timberwolves

Mt. View Columbia River Thunder Chieftians

Camas Papermakers Sept. 5: Chiawana* Sept. 12: at Federal Way* (7:30 p.m.)

Sept. 20: at Rogers-Puyallup* (4 p.m.)

Sept. 26: Evergreen Oct. 3: Skyview Oct. 10: at Battle Ground Oct. 17: at Union (8 p.m.)

Oct. 24: Mountain View Oct. 31: at Heritage (5 p.m.)

Heritage Timberwolves

Mt. View Thunder

Skyview Storm

Columbia River Chieftians

Evergreen Plainsmen Sept. 5: Eisenhower* (5 p.m.)

Sept. 13: at Todd Beamer* (6 p.m.)

Sept. 19: Heritage (5 p.m.)

Sept. 26: at Camas Oct. 3: Union (8 p.m.)

Oct. 10: at Yelm* Oct. 17: at Battle Ground Oct. 24: Skyview (8 p.m.)

Oct. 31: at Mountain View (8 p.m.)

Mt. View Thunder

Skyview Storm

Columbia River Chieftians

Fort Vancouver Trappers

Fort Vancouver Trappers

Kelso Hilanders

Skyview Storm Fort Vancouver Trappers

Heritage Timberwolves

Mt. View Thunder

Mt. View Thunder

Skyview Storm

Hockinson Hawks

Kelso

R.A. Long Lumberjacks

Prairie Mark Morris Falcons Monarchs

Washougal Panthers

Fort Vancouver Trappers Sept. 5: at Hudson’s Bay* Sept. 12: at The Dalles, Ore.* Sept. 19: White Salmon* Sept. 26: at Prairie Oct. 3: Kelso (5 p.m.)

Oct. 10: at Columbia River Oct. 17: at Ridgefield* Oct. 24: at Washougal* Oct. 31: Woodland* (5 p.m.)

Kelso Hilanders

Prairie Falcons

Kelso Hilanders Sept. 5: Mark Morris* Sept. 12: at R.A. Long* Sept. 19: Prairie Sept. 26: at Centralia* Oct. 3: Fort Vancouver Oct. 10: W.F. West* Oct. 17: at Black Hills* Oct. 24: Heritage* Oct. 31: Columbia River Hockinson Hawks

Prairie Falcons

Hockinson Hawks

Mark Morris Monarchs

Prairie Falcons Sept. 5: at Heritage* (8 p.m.)

Sept. 12: Hockinson* Sept. 19: at Kelso Sept. 26: Fort Vancouver Oct. 3: at Mark Morris* Oct. 10: R.A. Long* Oct. 17: at W.F. West* Oct. 24: at Columbia River Oct. 31: Battle Ground*

Hockinson Hawks

Heritage Timberwolves

GREATER ST. HELENS 2A

Prairie Falcons

Columbia River Chieftains Sept. 5: R.A. Long* Sept. 11: at Mark Morris* Sept. 19: at Centralia* Sept. 26: Black Hills* Oct. 3: Tumwater* Oct. 10: Fort Vancouver Oct. 17: at Skyview* Oct. 24: Prairie Oct. 31: at Kelso

Hockinson Hawks Hilanders

Heritage Timberwolves Sept. 5: Prairie* (8 p.m.)

Sept. 12: Hudson’s Bay* (5 p.m.)

Sept. 19: at Evergreen (5 p.m.)

Sept. 26: at Skyview Oct. 3: Battle Ground (5 p.m.)

Oct. 10: Union Oct. 17: at Mountain View (5 p.m.)

Oct. 24: at Kelso* Oct. 31: Camas (5 p.m.)

Evergreen Plainsmen

Kelso Hilanders

Fort Vancouver Trappers

R.A. Long Lumberjacks

Mark Morris Monarchs

Skyview Storm

Hudson’s Bay Eagles

Washougal Panthers

Woodland Beavers

Hudson’s Bay Eagles

Mountain View Thunder Sept. 5: at Auburn* Sept. 12: Juanita* (8 p.m.)

Sept. 19: at Union (8 p.m.)

Sept. 26: Battle Ground (8 p.m.)

Oct. 3: at Bethel* Oct. 10: at Skyview (8 p.m.)

Oct. 17: Heritage (5 p.m.)

Oct. 26: at Camas Oct. 31: Evergreen (8 p.m.)

Rainier Columbians

LEWIS AND CLARK 3A Clatskanie Tigers

Warrenton, Ore. Warriors

Vernonia, Ore. Loggers 2A NW

Clatskanie Tigers Sept. 5: Horizon Christian* Sept. 12: at Harrisburg* Sept. 19: Illinois Valley* Sept. 26: at Knappa* Oct. 3: Nestucca* Oct. 10: at North Eugene* Oct. 17: BYE Oct. 24: Rainier Oct. 31: Warrenton Portland Christian Royals

Hockinson Hawks

Portland Adventist Cougars

R.A. Long Lumberjacks

Ridgefield Spudders

Scapoose Indians 4A Cowapa

Washougal Panthers

Lewis and Clark 3A

Camas Papermakers

Union Titans

Skyview Storm Sept. 5: at Walla Walla* Sept. 12: Woodinville* (8 p.m.)

Sept. 19: at Battle Ground.

Sept. 26: Heritage (5 p.m.)

Oct. 3: at Camas Oct. 10: Mountain View (8 p.m.)

Oct. 17: Columbia River* Oct. 24: at Evergreen (5 p.m.)

Oct. 31: Union (8 p.m.)

Battle Ground Tigers

Evergreen Plainsmen

Heritage Timberwolves

Mt. View Thunder

Rainier Columbians

Rainier Columbians

Warrenton, Ore. Warriors

Knappa Loggers 2A NW

Vernonia, Ore. Loggers 2A NW

Rainier Columbians Sept. 5: at Blanchet Catholic* Sept. 12: at Santiam Christian* Sept. 19: at Seaside* Sept. 26: Stevenson, Wash.* Oct. 3: at Scio* Oct. 11: at Cascade Christian (1 p.m.)* Oct. 17: Warrenton Oct. 24: at Clatskanie Oct. 31: BYE Portland Christian Royals

Hockinson Hawks

Mark Morris Monarchs

Skyview Storm Lewis and Clark 3A

Union Titans Sept. 6: at Federal Way* (6 p.m.)

Sept. 12: at Curtis* Sept. 19: Mountain View (8 p.m.)

Sept. 26: Spanaway Lake* (5 p.m.)

Oct. 3: at Evergreen (8 p.m.)

Oct. 10: at Heritage Oct. 17: Camas (8 p.m.)

Oct. 24: Battle Ground (5 p.m.)

Oct. 31: at Skyview (8 p.m.)

Clatskanie Tigers

Clatskanie Tigers

Warrenton, Ore. Warriors

R.A. Long Lumberjacks

Knappa Loggers 2A NW

Hudson’s Bay Eagles

Washougal Panthers

Vernonia, Ore. Loggers 2A NW

Scapoose Indians 4A Cowapa

Warrenton Warriors Sept. 5: Vernonia* Sept. 12: at Willamina* Sept. 19: at Neah-Kah-Nie* Sept. 26: Nestucca* Oct. 3: Ilwaco, Wash.* Oct. 10: Knappa* Oct. 17: at Rainier Oct. 24: BYE Oct. 31: at Clatskanie Portland Christian Royals

Portland Adventist Cougars

Portland Adventist Cougars

Corbett

Astoria Fishermen 4A Cowapa

Hockinson Hawks Sept. 5: La Center* Sept. 12: at Prairie* Sept. 19: at Castle Rock* Sept. 26: Mark Morris Oct. 3: at Hudson’s Bay Oct. 10: Ridgefield Oct. 17: Washougal Oct. 24: at Woodland Oct. 31: at R.A.Long Woodland Beavers

Black Hills Wolves

Ridgefield Spudders

R.A. Long Lumberjacks

Mark Morris Monarchs

Corbett

R.A. Long Lumberjacks

Mark Morris Monarchs

Washougal Panthers

Hudson’s Bay Eagles Sept. 5: Fort Vancouver* Sept. 12: at Heritage* (5 p.m.)

Sept. 19: at Woodland Sept. 26: at La Center* Oct. 3: Hockinson (8 p.m.)

Oct. 10: Washougal (5 p.m.)

Oct. 17: at Mark Morris Oct. 24: R.A. Long Oct. 31: at Ridgefield

Lewis and Clark 3A

Knappa Loggers 2A NW

R.A. Long Lumberjacks

Mark Morris Monarchs

Scapoose Indians 4A Cowapa

Corbett

Woodland Beavers

Washougal Panthers

Black Hills Hudson’s Wolves

Bay Eagles

Mark Morris Monarchs Sept. 5: at Kelso* Sept. 11: Columbia River* Sept. 19: R.A. Long Sept. 26: at Hockinson Oct. 3: Prairie* Oct. 10: at Woodland Oct. 17: Hudson’s Bay Oct. 24: Ridgefield Oct. 31: at Washougal Black Hills

Hudson’s Centrailia Bay Eagles Tigers

Washougal Wolves Panthers

Centrailia Woodland Tigers Beavers

Tumwater

Woodland T-birds Beavers

R.A. Long Lumberjacks Sept. 5: at Columbia River* Sept. 12: at Kelso* Sept. 19: at Mark Morris Sept. 26: Washougal Oct. 3: at Ridgefield Oct. 10: at Prairie* Oct. 17: Woodland Oct. 24: Hudson’s Bay Oct. 31: Hockinson Ridgefield Spudders Sept. 5: at Castle Rock* Sept. 12: Kalama* Sept. 19: at Washougal Sept. 26: Woodland Oct. 3: R.A. Long Oct. 10: at Hockinson Oct. 17: Fort Vancouver* Oct. 24: at Mark Morris Oct. 31: Hudson’s Bay

Astoria Fishermen 4A Cowapa

Hudson’s Bay Eagles

Woodland Beavers

Ridgefield Spudders

Washougal Panthers Sept. 5: at Stevenson* Sept. 12: White Salmon* Sept. 19: Ridgefield Sept. 26: at R.A. Long Oct. 3: Woodland Oct. 10: at Hudson’s Bay (5 p.m.)

Oct. 17: at Hockinson Oct. 24: Fort Vancouver* Oct. 31: Mark Morris Astoria Fishermen 4A Cowapa

Black Hills

EVERGREEN 2A

Hudson’s Wolves Bay Eagles

Centrailia Tigers

Tumwater

T-birds Ridgefield Spudders

W.F. West Ridgefield SpuddersBearcats

Centrailia Woodland Tigers Beavers

Tumwater

Ridgefield T-birds Spudders

W.F. West Bearcats

Black Hills Wolves Sept. 5: at Montesano* Sept. 12: Rochester* Sept. 19: at North Kitsap* Sept. 26: at Columbia River* Oct. 3: W.F. West Oct. 10: at Port Angeles* Oct. 17: Kelso* Oct. 24: Tumwater Oct. 31: Centralia Tumwater T-birds

W.F. West Bearcats

Capital Cougars

Centralia Tigers Sept. 5: Rochester* Sept. 12: Aberdeen* Sept. 19: Columbia River* Sept. 26: Kelso* Oct. 3: at Sequim* Oct. 10: at Tumwater Oct. 17: Bremerton* Oct. 24: W.F. West Oct. 31: at Black Hills W.F. West Bearcats

Capital Cougars

Tumwater Thunderbirds Sept. 5: Capital* Sept. 12: at Timberline* Sept. 19: La Center* Sept. 26: Lake City, Id.* Oct. 3: at Columbia River* Oct. 10: Centralia Oct. 17: at West Valley-Yakima* Oct. 24: at Black Hills Oct. 31: at W.F. West Capital Cougars

W.F. West Bearcats Sept. 5: at Kingston* Sept. 12: North Kitsap* Sept. 19: BYE* Sept. 26: at Olympic* Oct. 3: at Black Hills Oct. 10: at Kelso* Oct. 17: Prairie* Oct. 24: at Centralia Oct. 31: Tumwater

CLASS 1B Naselle Comets Sept. 5: at Chief Leschi* Sept. 12: at Neah-Kah-Nie, Ore.* Sept. 19: Jewell, Ore.* Sept. 26: Oakville* Oct. 4: at Portland Lutheran* (1 p.m.)

Oct. 10: Mary M. Knight* Oct. 17: Twin Valley* Oct. 24: at Amity, Ore.* Oct. 31: Taholah*

Ridgefield Spudders

Woodland Beavers Sept. 5: Kalama* Sept. 13: at La Center* Sept. 19: Hudson’s Bay Sept. 26: at Ridgefield Oct. 3: at Washougal Oct. 10: Mark Morris Oct. 17: at R.A. Long Oct. 24: Hockinson Oct. 31: Fort Vancouver*

54 16765501.indd 54

8/28/2014 12:52:58 PM

Capital Cougars

* INDICATES NON-LEAGUE GAMES

Toledo Indians

Onalaska Loggers

Wahkiakum Mules

Onalaska Loggers

CENTRAL 2B

Adna Adna PiratesRainier Moun- PiratesToledo Mossyrock South Bend Mossyrock Vikings Indians Onalaska Vikings taineers Indians Loggers

Adna Pirates Sept. 5: at Onalaska Sept. 12: at Toutle Lake Sept. 19: at Wahkiakum Sept. 26: Toledo Oct. 3: Napavine Oct. 10: Winlock Oct. 17: at Morton/White Pass Oct. 24: Pe Ell/Willapa Valley Oct. 30: at Mossyrock Morton/White Pass Timberwolves

Toledo Indians

Winlock Cardinals

Onalaska Loggers

Toledo Indians

Mossyrock Vikings

Morton/White Pass Timberwolves Sept. 5: Toledo Sept. 12: at Winlock Sept. 19: Onalaska Sept. 26: at Toutle Lake Oct. 3: Wahkiakum Oct. 10: at Mossyrock Oct. 17: Adna Oct. 24: Napavine Oct. 30: at Pe Ell/Willapa Valley

Adna Mossyrock Pirates Vikings

Napavine Mossyrock Tigers Vikings

Mossyrock Vikings

Pe Ell Trojans Napavine Tigers

Rainier MounNapavine Tigers taineers

Pe Ell Trojans

Pe Ell Toutle Lake North Beach Trojans Ducks Hyaks Napavine

Onalaska Loggers Sept. 5: Adna Sept. 12: Mossyrock Sept. 19: at Morton/White Pass Sept. 26: at Napavine Oct. 3: at Toledo Oct. 10: Wahkiakum Oct. 17: Pe Ell/Willapa Valley Oct. 24: at Winlock Oct. 30: Toutle Lake

Toutle Lake Pe Ell Ducks Trojans

South Bend Indians

Toutle Lake Willipa Valley Ducks Vikings

Winlock Morton/White Pass Cardinals Timberwolves

Morton/White Pass WahkiakumNW Christian Timberwolves North Beach Mules Navigators Hyaks

Pe Ell/Willapa Valley Titans Sept. 5: Winlock Sept. 12: at Toledo Sept. 19: Napavine Sept. 26: at Wahkiakum Oct. 3: Mossyrock Oct. 10: at Toutle Lake Oct. 17: at Onalaska Oct. 24: at Adna Oct. 30: Morton/White Pass Rainier Mountaineers

Mossyrock Vikings Sept. 5: Napavine Sept. 12: at Onalaska Sept. 19: Toutle Lake Sept. 26: Winlock Oct. 3: at Pe Ell/Willapa Valley Oct. 10: Morton/White Pass Oct. 17: Toledo Oct. 24: at Wahkiakum Oct. 30: Adna

Ilwaco Fishermen

Raymont Seagulls

Winlock Cardinals Sept. 5: at Pe Ell/Willapa Valley Sept. 12: Morton/White Pass Sept. 19: Toledo Sept. 26: at Mossyrock Oct. 3: Toutle Lake Oct. 10: at Adna Oct. 17: at Wahkiakum Oct. 24: Onalaska Oct. 30: Napavine

Adna Pirates

Mossyrock Vikings

Pe Ell Trojans

Napavine Tigers

Toledo Indians Sept. 5: at Morton/ White Pass Sept. 12: Pe Ell/Willapa Valley Sept. 19: at Winlock Sept. 26: at Adna Oct. 3: Onalaska Oct. 10: at Napavine Oct. 17: at Mossyrock Oct. 24: at Toutle Lake Oct. 30: Wahkiakum Aberdeen Bobcats

SOUTHWEST 1A TRICO

Castle Rock Castle Rock RocketsRockets

Columbia Columbia (aka White Salmon) (aka White Salmon) Bruins Bruins

Columbia Columbia (aka White (akaSalmon) White Salmon) Bruins Bruins

KalamaKalama Castle Rock Chinooks Chinooks Rockets

La Center LaColumbia Center Wildcats (akaWildcats White Salmon) Bruins

Forks Spartans

Seton Seton La Center Cougars Cougars Wildcats

Castle Rock Rockets Sept. 5: Ridgefield* Sept. 12: at Tenino* Sept. 19: Hockinson* Sept. 26: King’s Way Christian* Oct. 3: at La Center Oct. 10: at Seton Catholic Oct. 17: White Salmon Oct. 24: Stevenson Oct. 31: Kalama

La Center Wildcats Sept. 5: at Hockinson* Sept. 12: Woodland* Sept. 19: at Tumwater* Sept. 26: at Hudson’s Bay* Oct. 3: Castle Rock Oct. 10: White Salmon Oct. 17: at Stevenson Oct. 24: at Kalama Oct. 31: Seton Catholic

Kalama Chinooks Sept. 5: at Woodland* Sept. 12: at Ridgefield* Sept. 19: King’s Way Christian* Sept. 26: Bow Valley, B.C.* Oct. 3: at White Salmon Oct. 10: Stevenson Oct. 17: at Seton Catholic Oct. 24: La Center Oct. 31: at Castle Rock

Seton Catholic Cougars Sept. 5: at King’s Way Christian* Sept. 12: Blanchet, Ore.* Sept. 19: North Beach* Sept. 26: BYE* Oct. 3: at Stevenson Oct. 10: Castle Rock Oct. 17: Kalama Oct. 24: at White Salmon Oct. 31: at La Center

Kalama Kalama Chinooks Chinooks

La Center La Center Wildcats Wildcats

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Stevenson Stevenson Bulldogs Bulldogs

Seton Seton Cougars Cougars

King’s Way King’s Way Knights Knights

Aberdeen Bobcats

Castle Rock Rockets

Aberdeen Bobcats

Rainier Mountaineers

Rochester Warriors

Hoquiam Grizzlies Stevenson King’s Way King’s Way Bulldogs KnightsKnights

Tenino Beavers

Seton Cougars

King’s Way Knights

Stevenson Bulldogs Sept. 5: Washougal* Sept. 12: Hoquiam* Sept. 19: at Estacada, Ore.* Sept. 26: at Rainier, Ore.* Oct. 3: Seton Catholic Oct. 10: at Kalama Oct. 17: La Center Oct. 24: at Castle Rock Oct. 31: White Salmon

Columbia (aka White Salmon) Bruins

Kalama Chinooks

eatonville crusiers

Aberdeen Bobcats

Aberdeen Bobcats

Forks Spartans

La Center Wildcats

Stevenson Bulldogs

White Salmon Bruins Sept. 5: Goldendale* Sept. 12: at Washougal* Sept. 19: Fort Vancouver* Sept. 26: at Riverside, Ore.* Oct. 3: Kalama Oct. 10: at La Center Oct. 17: at Castle Rock Oct. 24: Seton Catholic Oct. 31: at Stevenson

Aberdeen Forks Bobcats Spartans

Forks SpartansElma Eagles

Montesano Elma Bulldogs Eagles

Eatonville Cruisers Sept. 5: Orting* Sept. 12: Charles Wright Academy* Sept. 19: at Aberdeen Sept. 26: at Hoquiam Oct. 3: Montesano Oct. 10: at Rochester Oct. 17: Tenino Oct. 24: at Elma Nov. 1: Forks (4 p.m.)

Elma Eagles

Aberdeen Seton Bobcats Cougars

Montesano Bulldogs

Hoquiam Grizzlies

Forks Spartans

South Bend Indians

Life Christian

Elma King’s Way KnightsEagles

Elma Eagles Sept. 5: at Klahowya* (5 p.m.)

Sept. 12: at North Mason* Sept. 19: Rochester Sept. 26: at Tenino Oct. 3: Hoquiam Oct. 10: Forks Oct. 17: at Aberdeen Oct. 24: Eatonville Oct. 31: at Montesano

Ilwaco Life Christian Fishermen

Willipa Valley Vikings

Chief Leske Life Christian

Raymond Seagulls Sept. 6: at Life Christian Sept. 12: Chief Leschi Sept. 19: at Rainier, Wash.

Sept. 26: at North Beach Oct. 3: Tacoma Baptist Oct. 10: South Bend Oct. 17: at Ilwaco Oct. 24: Ocosta Oct. 30: BYE Life Christian

South Bend Indians

Chief Leske

South Bend Indians Sept. 5: Rainier, Wash.

Sept. 12: at North Beach Sept. 19: Tacoma Baptist Sept. 27: at Life Christian Oct. 3: Ocosta Oct. 10: at Raymond Oct. 17: at Chief Leschi Oct. 24: BYE Oct. 30: at Ilwaco NW Christian Navigators

North Beach Hyaks

Winlock Cardinals

MontesanoRochester Montesano Elma Hoquiam Bulldogs WarriorsBulldogs Eagles Grizzlies

Tenino HoquiamRochester Warriors Grizzlies Beavers

Rochester eatonville Tenino Warriors crusiers Beavers

Tenino Beavers

Rochester Warriors Sept. 5: at Centralia* Sept. 12: at Black Hills* Sept. 19: at Elma Sept. 26: Forks Oct. 3: at Aberdeen Oct. 10: Eatonville Oct. 17: at Montesano Oct. 24: at Hoquiam Oct. 31: Tenino

Hoquiam Grizzlies Sept. 5: Meridian* Sept. 12: at Stevenson* Sept. 19: at Tenino Sept. 26: Eatonville Oct. 3: at Elma Oct. 10: Montesano Oct. 17: at Forks Oct. 24: Rochester Oct. 31: at Aberdeen

Tenino Beavers Sept. 5: at Charles Wright Academy* Sept. 12: Castle Rock* Sept. 19: Hoquiam Sept. 26: Elma Oct. 3: at Forks Oct. 10: Aberdeen Oct. 17: at Eatonville Oct. 24: Montesano Oct. 31: at Rochester

Rochester Warriors

Montesano Bulldogs

HoquiamRochester Grizzlies Warriors

Tenino Beavers

Hoquiam Grizzlies

Ocosta Wildcats

North Beach Hyaks

Raymont Seagulls

Tacoma Baptist Crusaders Sept. 5: at Ocosta Sept. 13: Ilwaco Sept. 19: at South Bend Sept. 26: Concrete* Oct. 3: at Raymond Oct. 10: at Rainier, Wash.

Oct. 18: North Beach Oct. 24: Chief Leschi Nov. 1: at Life Christian

Forks Spartans Sept. 5: BYE Sept. 12: at Chimacum* Sept. 19: Montesano Sept. 26: at Rochester Oct. 3: Tenino Oct. 10: at Elma Oct. 17: Hoquiam Oct. 24: Aberdeen Nov. 1: at Eatonville (4 p.m.)

Montesano Hoquiam Bulldogs Grizzlies

Tacoma Baptist

NW Christian Navigators

Willipa Valley Vikings

Chief Tacoma Leske Baptist

Tacoma Baptist

Chief Leske

Rainier Mountaineers Sept. 5: at South Bend Sept. 12: at Kittitas* Sept. 19: Raymond Sept. 26: at Ocosta Oct. 3: North Beach Oct. 10: Tacoma Baptist Oct. 18: at Life Christian Oct. 24: Ilwaco Oct. 30: at Chief Leschi

Aberdeen ForksMontesano Forks Elma Bobcats SpartansBulldogsSpartans ElmaHoquiam Eagles EaglesGrizzlies Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

Aberdeen Bobcats Sept. 5: River Ridge* Sept. 12: at Centralia* Sept. 19: Eatonville Sept. 26: at Montesano Oct. 3: Rochester Oct. 10: at Tenino Oct. 17: Elma Oct. 24: at Forks Oct. 31: Hoquiam

Ilwaco Fishermen

Rainier Mountaineers

Ocosta Wildcats Sept. 5: Tacoma Baptist Sept. 13: at Life Christian Sept. 19: at Chief Leschi Sept. 26: Rainier, Wash.

Oct. 3: at South Bend Oct. 10: Ilwaco Oct. 18: Tumwater JV* Oct. 24: at Raymond Oct. 31: North Beach

Morton/White Pass Timberwolves

Wahkiakum Mules

Forks Spartans

Tacoma Baptist

GRAYS HARBOR 1A/2A

Montesano Bulldogs

Elma Eagles

Stevenson Stevenson Kalama Bulldogs Bulldogs Chinooks

Life Christian Eagles Sept. 6: Raymond Sept. 13: Ocosta Sept. 19: at Ilwaco Sept. 27: South Bend Oct. 3: at Chief Leschi Oct. 10: at Pe Ell/Willapa Valley* Oct. 18: Rainier, Wash.

Oct. 24: at North Beach Nov. 1: Tacoma Baptist Toutle Lake Ducks

Raymont Seagulls

Ocosta Wildcats

Ilwaco Fishermen

Raymont Seagulls

Ocosta Wildcats

North Beach Hyaks

Tacoma Baptist

Chief Leske

Life Christian

NW Christian Navigators

Willipa Valley Vikings

Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

Onalaska Loggers

Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

Winlock Cardinals

Winlock Ocosta Cardinals Wildcats

South Bend Indians

Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

Toledo Indians

Ilwaco Fishermen Sept. 5: North Beach Sept. 13: at Tacoma Baptist Sept. 19: Life Christian Sept. 26: Chief Leschi Oct. 3: at Warrenton, Ore.* Oct. 10: at Ocosta Oct. 17: Raymond Oct. 24: at Rainier, Wash.

Oct. 30: South Bend

Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

Ilwaco Raymont Fishermen Seagulls

Raymont Ocosta Seagulls Wildcats

North Beach Hyaks Sept. 5: at Ilwaco Sept. 12: South Bend Sept. 19: at Seton Catholic* Sept. 26: Raymond Oct. 3: at Rainier, Wash.

Oct. 10: Chief Leschi Oct. 18: at Tacoma Baptist Oct. 24: Life Christian Oct. 31: at Ocosta

Chief Leske

Life Christian

Ocosta North Beach Wildcats Hyaks

North NW Christian Beach Hyaks Navigators

Morton/White Pass Winlock Timberwolves Cardinals NW Christian North Beach Navigators Hyaks

Wahkiakum Willipa ValleyMules Vikings Ilwaco Fishermen

Toutle Lake Ducks South Bend Indians Raymont Seagulls

Ocosta Wildcats

North Beach Hyaks

Wahkiakum Mules Sept. 5: Toutle Lake Sept. 12: at Napavine Sept. 19: Adna Sept. 26: Pe Ell/Wahkiakum Oct. 3: at Morton/White Pass Oct. 10: at Onalaska Oct. 17: Winlock Oct. 24: Mossyrock Oct. 30: at Toledo

Morton/White Pass Timberwolves Wahkiakum Mules

Wahkiakum Toutle Lake Mules Ducks

Pe Ell Napavine Trojans Morton/WhiteRainier Pass MounWinlock Tigers Timberwolves taineers Cardinals

Wahkiakum Mules

NW Christian Navigators

NW Christian Willipa Valley Navigators Vikings

Chief Leschi Warriors Sept. 5: Naselle* Sept. 12: at Raymond Sept. 19: Ocosta Sept. 26: at Ilwaco Oct. 3: Life Christian Oct. 10: at North Beach Oct. 17: South Bend Oct. 24: at Tacoma Baptist Oct. 30: Rainier, Wash.

Winlock/Toledo Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United Warhawks or United

Toutle Lake Ducks

Willipa Valley Vikings

Toutle Lake Ducks Sept. 5: at Wahkiakum Sept. 12: Adna Sept. 19: at Mossyrock Sept. 26: Morton/White Pass Oct. 3: at Winlock Oct. 10: Pe Ell/WillapaValley Oct. 17: at Napavine Oct. 24: Toledo Oct. 30: at Onalaska Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

Mossyrock Vikings

Pe Ell Trojans

Tacoma South Bend Willipa Valley Baptist Indians Vikings

Chief Leske Rainier South MounBend taineers Indians

Toutle Lake Ducks

Trojans

Adna Pirates

Napavine Tigers

South Bend Indians

PACIFIC 2B

Morton/White Pass Morton/White Pass Winlock Winlock Ilwaco Raymont Wahkiakum Timberwolves Timberwolves Cardinals Cardinals Life Christian MounMorton/White Pass Rainier Winlock Fishermen Seagulls Mules Wahkiakum Timberwolves taineersCardinals Mules

Toutle LakeWahkiakum Ocosta Mules Ducks Pe EllWildcats

Tigers

Onalaska Loggers

Adna Pirates

Winlock/Toledo Warhawks or United

Adna Pirates

Vikings

Napavine Tigers Sept. 5: at Mossyrock Sept. 12: Wahkiakum Sept. 19: at Pe Ell/Willapa Valley Sept. 26: Onalaska Oct. 3: at Adna Oct. 10: Toledo Oct. 17: Toutle Lake Oct. 24: at Morton/White Pass Oct. 30: at Winlock

Rainier Mountaineers

Adna Onalaska Pirates Loggers

Pe Ell NW Christian Napavine Trojans Mossyrock Navigators Tigers

Napavine Willipa Valley Adna Tigers Pirates Vikings

Rochester Warriors

Tenino Beavers

eatonville crusiers

Rochester Warriors

Montesano Bulldogs Sept. 5: Black Hills* Sept. 12: at Nooksack Valley* Sept. 19: at Forks Sept. 26: Aberdeen Oct. 3: at Eatonville Oct. 10: at Hoquiam Oct. 17: Rochester Oct. 24: at Tenino Oct. 31: Elma

Tenino Beavers

eatonville crusiers

Tenino Beavers

eatonville crusiers

eatonville crusiers

eatonville crusiers

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eatonville crusiers

O W

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OUR TEAM’S COMMITMENT TO YOU

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• Quality cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles at competitive prices • Service from our staff who want to provide you with solutions to your automotive needs in a no pressure environment • Loaner cars or shuttle transportation when using our service department • Service from our union parts and technicians with the latest technology available.

NEW DOMESTIC CAR/TRUCK DEALER

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over 400 vehicLeS to chooSe from 56 16765501.indd 56

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